Methods and prognostic value of bone marrow examination in small cell carcinoma of the lung.

The technique and predictive value for survival of initial and restaging bone marrow examinations in small cell carcinoma (SCC) of the lung were evaluated by 76 examinations of 72 patients. In 76 examinations, only 2 (2.6%) of the bilateral iliac crest bone marrow examinations revealed tumor cells unilaterally and these two were restaging examinations. If SCC was found in the marrow, bone marrow biopsy was always positive. In no instance was an aspirate positive with a negative bone marrow biopsy. Thus a unilateral bone marrow biopsy is an adequate technique for the initial staging of the bone marrow in SCC of the lung. Survival of patients with or without positive initial bone marrow examinations was not significantly different.