This scan is primarily used to detect and evaluate neuroendocrine tumors by visualizing somatostatin receptors throughout the body. Somatostatin PET scans allow doctors to locate the primary tumor, detect metastases, assess treatment response, and plan further therapy. The DOTATATE PET scan has proven especially effective in the early detection and monitoring of neuroendocrine tumors due to its high sensitivity.
PET-CT with Somatostatin (68Ga-DOTATATE)
PET-CT with somatostatin in Israel has become a key diagnostic tool for identifying tumors originating in the neuroendocrine system. At the Nuclear Medicine Center of the Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov), this advanced scan is performed using PET-CT 68Ga-DOTATATE, also known as Gallium-68 DOTATATE, a specialized radiopharmaceutical that targets somatostatin receptors.
What Is the Purpose of the Scan?
Preparation for PET-CT with 68Ga-DOTATATE
If you are receiving long-acting somatostatin analogs (e.g., octreotide), the PET-CT Gallium-68 scan should be scheduled several days before your next injection, ideally one month or more after the previous dose. If you take short-acting somatostatin drugs daily, discontinue them at least two days prior to the scan, under your oncologist’s guidance.
Please bring:
- A recent blood test with creatinine levels (done within the last three months).
- Previous imaging (CT, MRI, or PET-CT with somatostatin abroad) on CD if available.
- No fasting is required before this scan.
Important for diabetic patients: If contrast material is used, discontinue sugar-lowering medications for 48 hours (before and after the scan) per your referring doctor’s instructions.
If you suffer from claustrophobia, you may consider taking a mild sedative before the procedure. This scan is performed in an open-ended machine, and most patients tolerate it well.
The radioactive agent used for this scan decays quickly. Patients must arrive precisely at the scheduled time; delays may result in reduced radiopharmaceutical dose and suboptimal imaging quality.
Plan for approximately three hours at the nuclear medicine clinic in Israel.
How the Scan Is Performed
After registration, you will meet with a physician and nurse who will review your medical history, insert an IV line, and provide you with approximately 1.5 liters of oral contrast to enhance intestinal imaging. The 68Ga-DOTATATE in Israel radiotracer will then be administered intravenously.
You will wait for around 45 minutes in a quiet room to allow the radiopharmaceutical to distribute throughout your body. If appropriate, an additional IV contrast agent will be administered before the scan.
The scanning process itself takes about 20 minutes.
Are There Any Side Effects?
There are no known adverse effects following a PET-CT with somatostatin. The procedure is safe and non-invasive.
If you’re seeking PET-CT 68Ga-DOTATATE in Israel, including no wait PET-CT with somatostatin for timely diagnosis and treatment planning, the Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov) offers world-class facilities, expert staff, and rapid scheduling.
To begin your diagnostic journey, contact us at medtour@tlvmc.gov.il or submit a request via the official Ichilov Hospital website. Our coordinators will respond within 24 to 48 hours.
FAQ
Israel is renowned for its quality of healthcare all over the world. The Sourasky Medical Center is at the forefront of medical care. We apply the latest and most sophisticated technologies for advanced therapeutic services and precise diagnostic testing. Our state-of-the-art facilities will ensure that you feel as comfortable as possible throughout your stay. Our English speaking exceptional doctors are esteemed internationally for their expertise and pioneering techniques, and about 90% of them have practiced or trained abroad, at leading healthcare facilities in North America or Europe.
The Medical Center complies with international standards for medical procedures, diagnostic testing, and clinical research.
We are a department within the Medical Center. All the stuff and members are employees of the Medical Center. We are not an agent. When you deal with us, you deal directly with the Medical center. Therefore, there are no extra fees or commissions on top of the price of treatments.
Tel Aviv is centrally located, an easy plane flight from Europe, Asia, Africa, and the U.S. Convenient flights are available from major cities throughout the world from a broad spectrum of airlines.
Just 20 minutes from Israel's Ben Gurion International Airport, the Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center is located in the heart of Tel Aviv, Israel's most vibrant metropolis and the center of the country's finance, commerce, arts, culture, and entertainment activities. The Medical Center is just a several-minute drive from the beautiful, relaxing beaches of the Mediterranean Sea. Tel Aviv is blessed with a comfortable climate: short, mild winters with plenty of pleasant, sunny days, delightful spring and fall seasons, and a constantly sunny summer from June through October.
Tel Aviv is a cosmopolitan city that offers so much to tourists and residents alike. With a wide array of accommodation options—from luxurious to low-budget hotels—Tel Aviv is an extremely friendly city for visitors seeking medical treatment. This European-style city offers an excellent public transportation system. There are highly accessible convenience supermarkets and coffee shops—usually open 24 hours a day—within walking distance of the Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center. There is an abundance of shopping, ranging from clothing boutiques and artisan crafts to art galleries and leading international brand shops.
Given the outstanding level of quality care, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center’s fees are surprisingly reasonable. In most instances, treatment at the Medical Center, including medical fees and travel expenses, are considerably lower than comparable medical facilities in the US or Europe.
The cost of treatment varies significantly, depending upon the type of treatment and its complexity. Please contact our Medical Tourism Center to provide the details of your required treatment and we will be happy to provide you a price quote
The price list for the various medical treatments that we offer can be found on the Israeli Ministry of Health's website.
Please refer to the column titled: Price for patient from abroad.
It is important to ensure you have the correct documentation required to enter the country. For example, your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the day you enter Israel. Visitors from some countries must have a tourist visa. We recommend that you check the website of the local Israeli Consulate in your country for more specific information.
The staff at the Medical Tourism Center is ready and willing to assist you with all your needs. We will be more than happy to discuss your specific situation and provide you with any additional information regarding our medical services, doctors and facilities. If necessary we can provide you testimonials from former patients. Please feel free to contact us today.
