Advanced metastatic pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor treated successfully with peptide receptor radionuclide therapy: a case report

Neuroendocrine tumor (NET) is a rare tumor that has been observed in different sites such as lungs and throughout the gastrointestinal tract. Clinical features are usually non-specific and vary considerably depending upon the location of the tumor. Symptoms are similar to those of common conditions such as peptic ulcer disease, gastritis, irritable bowel syndrome, asthma, etc. Thus, an initial diagnosis of a NET usually occurs at an advanced stage. This report describes a case of pancreatic NET (PNET, grade 2) with liver metastasis in a 37-year-old male which was found to be inoperable due to extensive direct involvement of the proximal jejunal branches and superior mesenteric vein. Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) with lutetium-177 dotatate ((177)Lu-DOTATATE) was administered due to the inoperability of primary PNET. Complete resolution of symptoms occurred with three cycles of PRRT.