Incidence and sites of bone lesions detected by 99mTc-polyphosphate scans in patients with tumors.

The value of bone scanning with 99mTc-polyphosphate was assessed in 186 patients with various types of tumors. The sensitivity of this technique was greater than that of metastatic roentgenographic series and the reported results of 85-Sr-bone scans, in the detection of osseous involvement by tumors. Three cases with normal bone scans and abnormal roentgenographic studies illustrated the necessity and complementary value of comparing bone scan findings with radiographic studies. Patients with carcinoma of the breast, lung, or prostate displayed characteristic patterns of bone involvement by their tumors. The importance of clinical information, including bone symptoms, antecedent bone disease, and serum calcium and alkaline phosphatase, was stressed in the detection and interpretation of bone scan abnormalities.