[Demonstration of osseous tumor micrometastases: comparison of the value of bone marrow cytology and histology].

In the course of a complete diagnostic work up ("staging") of 404 patients with solid tumors and malignant lymphomas, the bone marrow (BM) was analyzed cytologically (smears) as well as histologically (needle biopsy). 1. In this study both smear and needle biopsy showed an equal percentage of tumor metastases in the BM (14.6% and 16.1% respectively). Considerable differences exist between the various kinds of tumors, and therefore, each type must be viewed separately. 2. BM smear and BM needle biopsy complement each other. Combination of the two shows approximately 20--30% more positive BM finding as compared to each of the methods alone (19.6% positive findings), execpt in Hodgkin's disease.3. In Hodgkin's disease BM biopsy is superior to the smear in detecting BM infiltration. The biopsy yield is not improved on by smear. 4. In patients with oat cell tumors of the lung, the BM smears appear to be superior to biopsy for diagnosis of marrow invasion. The diagnostic yield of BM smears is, however, supplemented by the histology of simultaneous BM needle biopsy. 5. Direct BM examination (smear and needle biopsy) effectively supplements diagnostic radiological and isotope scanning procedures of the skeleton in searching for disseminated BM metastases in lung cancer of the oat-cell type, in non-Hodgkin lymphomas, and in prostatic cancer, but does not do so in patients with other solid tumors and Hodgkin's disease.