Value of bone scanning in neoplastic disease

This article reviews recent literature on a variety of primary and secondary bone tumors in an attempt to indicate the use of bone scans in the peri- and posttreatment phases. The data indicate that the yields and value of bone scans are tumor specific and that for some tumors (particularly breast and prostate) interpretation of studies on patients undergoing hormonal or chemotherapy can be complicated by the "flare phenomenon." Data are still needed on the rate of development of bone metastases in the follow-up period on a stage-specific and therapy-specific basis.