Liver scan and carcinoma of the breast

The results of 100 liver scans obtained as part of the preoperative evaluation of patients known to be harboring a potentially resectable carcinoma of the breast were evaluated. Of the five positive results of these studies, four were found to be falsely positive. During the period included in the study, 317 other liver scans were performed on patients known to have recurrent, residual, or metastatic disease or on patients returning for routine postoperative evaluation. The information derived from these studies was of practical significance only in the group receiving therapy for the secondary tumor. On the basis of this small series, the routine use of the liver scan in evaluating the patient with carcinoma of the breast cannot be supported.