The liver scan in urologic oncology

The predictive value of liver scans for the detection of hepatic metastases is discussed. A retrospective review was done on 104 patients with urologic malignancies who had undergone liver scans and liver function tests. Liver scans had a low predictive value, while serum alkaline phosphatase alone had a higher predictive value. The combination of low predictive value and high cost/benefit ratio indicates that the liver scan has no routine role in the urologic oncologic staging.