Incidence of bone metastases in women with minimal and occult breast carcinoma.

A total of 42 women with proved minimal (14) or occult (28) breast carcinoma were evaluated for up to 48 months (mean = 28 months). Bone scans, radiographs, blood chemistries, enzyme levels, and operative findings demonstrated metastases only in those 6 patients (14%) who presented with symptomatic metastases from an unknown primary source. The other 36 women are free of metastases. Preoperative radionuclide bone scans may not be necessary for women with minimal and asymptomatic occult breast cancers.