The bone scan flare phenomenon in non-small-cell lung cancer.
OBJECTIVE
The bone scan flare phenomenon, defined as an increase in the number or intensity of bone lesions with subsequent improvement while the patient is receiving chemotherapy, has been described in solid tumors including breast cancers and small-cell lung cancers. The purpose of this study was to verify the existence of the bone scintigraphic flare phenomenon in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) during chemotherapy and thus determine the utility of bone scintigraphy in the follow-up of these patients.


METHODS
Thirty-three patients with NSCLC with bone metastases and who had been treated with chemotherapy were included in the study. The outcome of bone scintigraphy was compared with that in other neoplastic sites.


RESULTS
The flare phenomenon was considered likely in 8 of the 33 patients. It was confirmed in two patients, invalidated in four, and remained doubtful in two.


CONCLUSIONS
The bone flare phenomenon occurs in NSCLC. It renders bone scintigraphy less useful in the evaluation of tumoral response in the patients in whom it is considered likely.
Lemieux
Julie
J
Department of Hematology-Oncology, Centre de Recherche, Hôpital Laval, Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et Pneumologie, Université Laval, Québec, Canada.
Guimond
Jean
J
Laberge
Francis
F
St-Pierre
Carole
C
Cormier
Yvon
Y
D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000556:secondary*; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000556:secondary*; D018450:Disease Progression; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D013669:Technetium Tc 99m Medronate / Q000493:pharmacokinetics
D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D013669:Technetium Tc 99m Medronate