[Clinical value of scintigraphic tumor diagnosis by means of test substances with tumor affinity. 2. Gallium radioisotopes]

Abstract

Deriving from the principle of direct tumor visualization and the beginnings of positive imaging of malignant tumors, radiotracers with tumor affinity are distinguished by those with tumor-specific and non-specific uptake. With special regard to the tumor-specific localization of thyroid carcinomas using radioiodine (131J) and of osteoplastic bone tumors or metastases using 99m-labelled phosphate compounds, the tumor scintigraphy results mainly with radiopharmaceuticals possessing tumors affinity, however not a tumor-specific uptake. On the basis of experimental and clinical results Gallium-67, one of these tumor-seeking agents, has become most important tumor scintigraphy. The diagnostic possibilities and limitations in using Gallium-67 for tumor imaging are derived from: 1) the non-specific uptake of Gallium-67, 2) the diagnosis accuracy and its reasons, and 3) the determinant factor of viability of tumor affecting the Gallium-67 accummulation.