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. 1997 Apr;79(4):611-4.
doi: 10.1046/j.1464-410x.1997.00121.x.

Which patients with prostatic carcinoma require a staging bone scan?

P M Kemp  1 , G A Maguire, N J Bird
Affiliations

Which patients with prostatic carcinoma require a staging bone scan?

P M Kemp et al. Br J Urol. 1997 Apr.

Abstract

Objective: To determine whether the level of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) can be used to decide which patients with newly diagnosed prostatic carcinoma require a staging bone scan.

Patients and methods: Of patients referred during an 18-month period for a staging bone scan, 98 (median age 72 years, range 52-89) had had their serum PSA level determined within 4 weeks of the bone scan and were assessed retrospectively for the presence of bony metastases.

Results: Of the 98 patients, 26 who had bone scans showing bony metastases had a PSA level > 40 ng/mL. Reviewing the other published studies showed that in those newly diagnosed patients with a PSA level of < 20 ng/mL, the probability of having bony metastases detected on a bone scan was < 1%.

Conclusions: A staging bone scan can be omitted in the vast majority of patients with newly diagnosed prostatic carcinoma and a PSA level < 20 ng/mL.

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