Toward tailored medicine (and beyond): the phaeochromocytoma and paraganglioma model

The increasing availability of Ga DOTA somatostatin analogues (SSA), at least in Europe, is challenging traditional diagnostic paths, such as that using I-metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) in phaeochromocytomas (PCC) and paragangliomas (PGL) [1]. Here, using the PCC/PGL as the model, we discuss whether new better performing radiocompounds necessarily determine the disappearance of the older ones. Working for the development of “tailored medicine” for each individual, and being aware that each individual decision has to be taken in the pragmatic world of cost effectiveness, the main assumptions of our thinking are