What is Octreotide Scan

Octreotide scan is a test that is used to find tumors that are made up of nerve and gland tissue.

In this test, a radioactive material is injected into your bloodstream. Images of your body will be taken. The radioactive material will show up in the images.

This test helps detect slow-growing tumors (carcinoid tumors), other abnormalities, and cancers. It also helps monitor treatment of these tumors. The test is usually done over two days.

Tell a health care provider about:

• Any allergies you have.
• All medicines you are taking, including vitamins, herbs, eye drops, creams, and over-the-counter medicines.
• Any blood disorders you have.
• Any surgeries you have had.
• Any medical conditions you have.
• Whether you are pregnant or may be pregnant.
• Whether you are breastfeeding.

What are the risks?

Generally, this is a safe test. However, problems may occur, including exposure to radiation.

What happens before the test?

Follow your health care provider’s instructions about:

• Changing or stopping your regular medicines. Do not take these medicines before your procedure if your health care provider instructs you not to.
• Removing all jewelry and metal objects prior to the test.
• Drinking plenty of water in preparation for the test.

What happens during the test?

• An IV will be inserted into one of your veins. The radioactive material will be injected into your arm.
• You may feel a warm sensation when the radioactive material is being injected. This is normal.
• You will be instructed to drink water after the injection and to increase your intake of fluids over the next couple of days.
• You will wait for a couple of hours while the radioactive material travels through your body.
• You will lie down on a scanner table.
• A camera will take pictures of where the radioactive material has collected.
• You may be asked to change positions during the scans. This allows images to be taken from different angles.
• You will go home after the first scan. You may have to return on the second day to be re-scanned.

The test may vary among health care providers and hospitals.

What happens after the test?

• Your health care provider may give you a medicine to help you have a bowel movement (laxative). This can help remove the radioactive material from your body.
• Drink fluids as told by your health care provider.
• Ask your health care provider, or the department that is doing the test:
  • When will my results be ready?
  • How will I get my results?
  • What are my treatment options?
  • What other tests do I need?
  • What are my next steps?

Summary

• An octreotide scan is a test that is used to find tumors that are made up of nerve and gland tissue.
• This helps to detect carcinoid tumors, other abnormalities, and cancers. This scan is also used to monitor treatments of these tumors.
• For the test, a radioactive material is injected into your bloodstream. Images will be taken after the material has traveled through the body.
• This is generally a safe test. Be sure to tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or may be pregnant.