Skeletal scintigraphy and physical examination in the staging of early breast cancer.
The significance of skeletal scintigraphy in staging of early breast cancer is still controversial. The results of bone scanning with 99Tcm diphosphonate and clinical examination in 204 patients with stage I-II breast cancer are reported. Bone scans were positive in 28 cases. However, only one was true positive as confirmed by x-ray examination and/or biopsy, with a detection rate of 0.5%. Physical examination had a detection rate similar to bone scan, but with superior specificity. In our experience bone scan cannot be recommended as a routine staging test in early breast cancer.
Piffer
S
S
Department of Oncology and Radiation Therapy, Istituti Ospedalieri S. Chiara, Trento, Italy.
Amichetti
M
M
Valentini
A
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011300:Preoperative Care; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D013669:Technetium Tc 99m Medronate
D013669:Technetium Tc 99m Medronate