Technetium‐99M Polyphosphate Bone Scanning in Carcinoma of the Prostate

Summary In 100 consecutive patients with newly diagnosed carcinoma of the prostate examined by X‐ray, skeletal metastases were diagnosed in 18 patients. The additional use of bone scanning with 99m Tc‐P.P. increased this figure to 34. Of the 16 patients with metastatic disease demonstrated on a bone scan but not apparent at the initial reading of the radiographs, confirmatory evidence has been forthcoming in 11. X‐ray examination, which need only be of limited scope, remains desirable. It is necessary to exclude false positive bone scans due to coincidental abnormalities such as Paget's disease of bone. We are indebted to Mrs Mary Laschowski both for assistance in carrying out this analysis, and for considerable secretarial help. The illustrations were kindly prepared by Mr Karl Leisner and the statistical analyses carried out by Dr Michael Grace.