Correlation of Neoplasms with Incidence and Localization of Skeletal Metastases: An Analysis of 1,355 Diphosphonate Bone Scans

A total of 1,355 patients from clinical trails with the 99mTc-labeled bone agent, Osteoscan (99mTc-Sn -EHDP), has shown a higher incidence of skeletal abnormalities than previously reported. Overall in this study, 60% of bone scans were abnormal in patients with nonosseous neoplasms. Carcinoma of breast, lung, and prostate yielded 67%, 64%, and 62% skeletal involvement, respectively. Over 50% of all the skeletal abnormalities for the neoplastic indications were detected in the thorax and vertebra while the skull, pelvis, and extremities accounted for 22%, 38%, and 34%, respectively.