Bone mineral content in patients with carcinoma of the prostate

This study investigated the effect of metastatic prostatic carcinoma on bone density. Thirty patients underwent a lumbar spine scan with a dual photon absorptiometer. Of these patients, 9 had proven skeletal metastatic deposits in the area being investigated. Comparison of results with a non-matched control population with proven benign prostatic histology showed a significantly elevated linear bone mineral content (BMC) in the disease group. Patients scanned after a 3- or 6-month period of hormonal therapy demonstrated a rise in BMC values, although the trend was not statistically significant. Indices of calcium metabolism have also been investigated.