[Bone evaluation in microcellular cancer treated by chemotherapy].

Bone surveys represent a particular problem in the investigation of secondary tumours, especially in the case of small cell cancer. This study was based on 70 patients in which qualitative criteria (clinical, radiographic, bone scan, bone aspiration-biopsy) replaced quantitative criteria (calcium, alkaline phosphatase, phosphorus). The histological (BPO) and clinical (pain) markers were determinant in the prognosis; in contrast, the repetition of the bone scan in the evaluation of response to treatment is only of very limited value.