The staging of M1 disease: the role of bone scan, Xray and other imaging techniques

Patients with newly diagnosed prostatic cancer should be investigated with regard to the presence or absence of distant metastases by (1) Taking a history especially of weight loss and recent onset backache (2) Examining them, looking especially for hepatic enlargement or peripheral lymph nodes (3) Performance status (4) Hemoglobin, Bilirubin, Liver enzymes, Alkaline and Acid phosphatase (5) Chest Xray. (6) Bone scan with specific Xrays directed at hot spots. (7) Ultrasound scan of liver if liver function tests are abnormal. Ultrasound scan of lymph nodes and kidneys is optional. (8) Any other tests indicated in special circumstances. Follow-up, 3-monthly as a rule, should include (1) The presence of pain and analgesic requirements (2) Weight (3) Performance status (4) Hemoglobin, Alkaline phosphatase, Acid phosphatase (5) Chest Xray, three monthly if abnormal. Annually otherwise. (6) Bone scan with Xray of new hot spots, 6-monthly. If there is doubt about the presence of a new hot spot, repeat the bone scan and Xray at 3 months.