Incidental Finding of Squamous Cell Carcinoma on a 68Ga-DOTATATE PET Scan

Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are a relatively rare entity; however, the incidence and prevalence of these tumors are increasing, likely attributed to improved diagnostic accuracy. The diagnosis of suspected NETs is facilitated by clinical symptoms, laboratory test abnormalities such as elevated chromogranin-A, and other diagnostic modalities such as the use of computed tomography scans, magnetic resonance imaging scans, positron emission tomography (PET) scans, and biopsy. The expression of high levels of somatostatin receptors in NETs enables the use of a specialized PET scan using the radiolabeled somatostatin analogues 68Ga-DOTATATE. The sensitivity and specificity of 68Ga-DOTATATE PET is very high for the diagnosis of NETs, but the specificity decreases especially with no clear symptoms and with only borderline elevated tumor markers. We present a case of a suspected NET, which was initially diagnosed as a metastatic NET by virtue of a positive 68Ga-DOTATATE PET scan; however, on biopsy it was revealed to be a squamous cell carcinoma originating from the head and neck.

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Molecular and Clinical Implications of Somatostatin Receptor Profile and Somatostatin Analogues Treatment in Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Cancers ◽

10.3390/cancers13194828 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (19) ◽

pp. 4828

Author(s):

Alba Sanjuan-Sanjuan ◽

Emilia Alors-Perez ◽

Marina Sanchez-Frías ◽

Alicia Dean-Ferrer ◽

Manuel D. Gahete ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Squamous Cell Carcinoma ◽

Cell Carcinoma ◽

Squamous Cell ◽

Somatostatin Receptor ◽

Somatostatin Receptors ◽

Somatostatin Analogues ◽

Good Prognosis ◽

Depth Of Invasion ◽

Targeting Therapy ◽

Healthy Control

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) incidence has increased by 50% over the last decade. Unfortunately, surgery and adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy are still the mainstream modality of treatment, underscoring the need for alternative therapies. Somatostatin-analogues (SSA) are efficacious and safe treatments for a variety of tumors, but the presence of somatostatin-receptors (SSTs) and pharmacological effects of SSA on OSCC are poorly known. In this study, we demonstrated that SST2 and SST3 levels were significantly higher in OSCC, compared to adjacent healthy control tissues. SST2 expression was associated with less regional metastasis and a lower recurrence rate. Moreover, SST2 was elevated in OSCC and associated with histopathological good prognosis factors, such as high peritumoral inflammation, smaller depth of invasion, and expansive vs. infiltrative front of tumor invasion. Importantly, treatment with different SSA (octreotide, lanreotide, and pasireotide) significantly reduced cell-proliferation in OSCC primary cell cultures. Altogether, this study demonstrated that SST2 is overexpressed in OSCC vs. healthy tissues and could represent a novel prognostic biomarker, since its expression is associated with tumors that show better prognostic factors and less recurrent rate. Moreover, our data unveil clear antitumoral effects of SSAs on OSCC, opening new avenues to explore their potential as targeting therapy to OSCC.

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Oral findings during follow-up of nasopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma treatment: A case report

SAGE Open Medical Case Reports ◽

10.1177/2050313x211033037 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

pp. 2050313X2110330

Author(s):

Atsushi Musha ◽

Nobuteru Kubo ◽

Naoko Okano ◽

Hidemasa Kawamura ◽

Yuhei Miyasaka ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Squamous Cell Carcinoma ◽

Cell Carcinoma ◽

Squamous Cell ◽

Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy ◽

Nasopharyngeal Cancer ◽

Inflammatory Conditions ◽

Positron Emission ◽

History Of ◽

Oral Area

A 50-year-old woman with a long history of nasopharyngeal cancer (T2N2M0, squamous cell carcinoma) underwent chemoradiotherapy and surgery. In the past, to prevent tumor recurrence or metastasis, she underwent concurrent chemoradiotherapy or neck dissection. However, during a follow-up 10 years after the surgery, intense F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose uptake was detected in the oral area (SUVmax 6.0). A biopsy of the area with F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose uptake revealed pathological inflammation. Radiography showed the presence of a wisdom tooth, located at the F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose accumulation site, and pericoronitis of this tooth was detected. Our findings indicate the importance of considering the effect of inflammatory conditions, such as periodontal disease, in using F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography during follow-up after head and neck cancer treatment.

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Oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma mimicking submucosal tumour

BMC Gastroenterology ◽

10.1186/s12876-021-01731-7 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Wen Wang ◽

Dazhou Li ◽

Linfu Zheng ◽

Hongli Zhan

Keyword(s):

Squamous Cell Carcinoma ◽

Cell Carcinoma ◽

Squamous Cell ◽

Squamous Epithelium ◽

Pathological Examination ◽

Muscularis Mucosa ◽

Case Presentation ◽

Duct Epithelium ◽

Tumour Spread ◽

Positron Emission

Abstract Background Oesophageal submucosal tumours are usually benign. We report a rare case of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma presenting as a submucosal tumour. Case presentation A 58-year-old man undergoing screening oesophago-gastroduodenoscopy was found to have a smooth-surfaced 0.6-cm sized submucosal tumour in the oesophagus 30 cm from the incisor. Endoscopic ultrasonography showed the tumour to be located in the muscularis mucosa; the lesion was heterogeneously hypoechoic and had a clear boundary. With a provisional diagnosis of leiomyoma, the tumour was removed by endoscopic submucosal dissection. Pathological examination showed it to be a moderately differentiated infiltrating squamous cell carcinoma, with normal overlying squamous epithelium. Immunohistochemistry indicated that it was caused by malignant transformation in mucosal glandular duct epithelium. Positron emission tomography–computer tomography showed no tumour spread to any other site. The patient was treated by oesophageal resection. Conclusion The clinician should be aware that oesophageal submucosal tumours with smooth overlying mucosa may not always be benign; malignancy must be ruled out.

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