A protein on the surface of cells that binds to a hormone called somatostatin, which helps control other hormones in the body. Somatostatin receptors are found on many different types of cells, and they may also be found in higher than normal amounts on some types of cancer cells. Knowing the amount of somatostatin receptor in tumor tissue may help diagnose cancer and plan treatment.
( soh-MA-toh-STA-tin reh-SEP-ter )
Source: NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms
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