Liver scanning in malignant genitourinary tumours.

To assess the value of liver scanning as a routine pretreatment screening test for metastatic spread in patients with malignant genitourinary tumours, the authors reviewed the records of 68 such patients who underwent liver scanning. Of 74 scans obtained, 10 gave positive results. There was a 6% false-positive rate and in five of six true-positive scans other clinical and laboratory data indicated the presence of distant metastatic spread. The liver scan provided new information in only one case. The authors conclude that routine liver scanning before treatment is not warranted in patients with malignant genitourinary tumours.