Osteoblastic response to successful treatment of metastatic cancer of the prostate.

Increasing sclerosis of bone in patients with prostatic cancer most commonly is associated with disease progression. In a study of serial radiographs in a group of 18 patients who experienced objective clinical remission after treatment of metastatic cancer of the prostate, eight (44%) showed an osteoblastic response as part of their healing reaction to successful therapy. The importance of a blastic response as a possible sign of clinical improvement is emphasized. Clinical, biochemical, and bone scan correlations are discussed as they apply to patients who respond favorably to treatment of metastatic cancer of the prostate.