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Title: Scintigraphy and treatment of medullary carcinoma of the thyroid with iodine-131 metaiodobenzylguanidine

Journal Article · · J. Nucl. Med.; (United States)
OSTI ID:5724245

We report our experience using (/sup 131/I)metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) to image nine patients with proven medullary carcinoma of the thyroid (MCT). Positive uptake was seen in four patients, equivocal uptake in one patient, and no uptake in four patients. Data are presented to demonstrate the pharmacokinetics of (/sup 131/I)MIBG in three of the patients studied. Two patients, with diarrhea and severe pain from known bone metastases and positive uptake on (/sup 131/I)MIBG diagnostic scanning, subsequently received therapeutic doses of (/sup 131/I)MIBG, with marked improvement in both pain and diarrhea, but no evidence of significant biochemical response. Iodine-131 MIBG uptake in patients with MCT is variable, and gives a higher false-negative rate than is found when using (/sup 131/I)MIBG to image other neuroectodermally derived tumors. The therapeutic potential of (/sup 131/I)MIBG in patients with MCT warrants further evaluation, in view of the symptomatic relief experienced following therapy doses in two patients with extensive disease.

Research Organization:
Guy's Hospital, London, England
OSTI ID:
5724245
Journal Information:
J. Nucl. Med.; (United States), Vol. 28:12
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English