Serial bone scanning: the assessment of treatment response in carcinoma of the prostate.

Serial bone scans and radiographic surveys were performed in 167 patients with histologically proven carcinoma of the prostate: 435 scans and surveys were performed. Nineteen of 99 patients with negative findings on diagnosis have become positive on follow-up. Forty-nine patients had positive findings on presentation; 8 have regressed on follow-up and 26 have progressed; 15 have remained unchanged. This is a sensitive method of follow-up in patients with carcinoma of prostate. Changes occurred in bone scans and skeletal surveys before any alteration in serum acid or alkaline phosphatases, symptoms of metastases or change in prostatic size in the majority of cases. The documentation of progression from MO to M1 disease presents no problems. However, problems in quantitation may arise in patients presenting with M1 disease.