title: [Skeletal scintigraphy in the follow-up of breast cancer. Statistical and epidemiological viewpoints].
abstract: As shown by model calculations skeletal scintigraphy in the follow-up of mammary carcinoma results in an expected predictive value of a positive scan in asymptomatic patients of 6.6%, assuming a sensitivity of 100%, a specificity of 95% and a 5-year disease-free survival rate of 55%. Divided according to clinical stages I-III, the values are 2.1% for stage I, 5.8% for stage II, and 10.7% for stage III. From a statistical and epidemiological point of view, therefore, bone scans are of questionable value in the follow-up of mammary carcinoma, at least in the favourable stages. Scientific assessment of the ever-widening range of follow-up activities is of crucial importance; for this general demand skeletal scintigraphy in mammary carcinoma is but an example.
mesh_terms: D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000556:secondary*; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005860:Germany, West; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D011859:Radiography; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging
vernacular_title: Die Skelettszintigraphie in der Nachsorge des Mammakarzinoms. Statistische und epidemiologische Gesichtspunkte.