Indications for bone scans in preoperative evaluation of breast cancer

Abstract

Breast cancer is a common disease and remains a therapeutic dilemma. Radical surgery is often ineffective in eradicating the disease because occult metastases have occurred prior to operation. Detection of early metastases would allow selection of patients who may not benefit from radical surgery. Skeletal imaging using radionuclides has been found to be a sensitive method for detection of early bony metastases from breast carcinoma. Recent reports suggest that bone scanning should be part of the preoperative evaluation of any patient prior to breast surgery. Unfortunately, there is marked variation in the results from the various studies. We reviewed Hartford Hospital’s experience with bone scans in breast cancer patients to determine if any or all patients should have this procedure done routinely prior to surgical therapy.