Skeletal Scintigraphy and Physical Examination in the Staging of Early Breast Cancer

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Abstract
The significance of skeletal scintigraphy in staging of early breast cancer is still controversial. The results of bone scanning with 99Tcm diphosphonate and clinical examination in 204 patients with stage I-II breast cancer are reported. Bone scans were positive in 28 cases. However, only one was true positive as confirmed by x-ray examination and/or biopsy, with a detection rate of 0.5%. Physical examination had a detection rate similar to bone scan, but with superior specificity. In our experience bone scan cannot be recommended as a routine staging test in early breast cancer.