Practice Patterns and Outcomes of Equivocal Bone Scans for Patients with Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer: Results from SEARCH
Author Type(s)
Student
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
7-1-2019
Journal Title
Asian Journal of Urology
Department
Surgery
Abstract
Objective: To review follow-up imaging after equivocal bone scans in men with castration resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) and examine the characteristics of equivocal bone scans that are associated with positive follow-up imaging.
Methods: We identified 639 men from five Veterans Affairs Hospitals with a technetium-99m bone scan after CRPC diagnosis, of whom 99 (15%) had equivocal scans. Men with equivocal scans were segregated into "high-risk" and "low-risk" subcategories based upon wording in the bone scan report. All follow-up imaging (bone scans, computed tomography [CT], magnetic resonance imaging [MRI], and X-rays) in the 3 months after the equivocal scan were reviewed. Variables were compared between patients with a positive
Results: Of 99 men with an equivocal bone scan, 43 (43%) received at least one follow-up imaging test, including 32/82 (39%) with low-risk scans and 11/17 (65%) with high-risk scans (
Conclusion: While 19% of all men who received follow-up imaging had positive follow-up imaging, only 9% of those with a low-risk equivocal bone scan had metastases versus 45% of those with high-risk. These preliminary findings, if confirmed in larger studies, suggest follow-up imaging tests for low-risk equivocal scans can be delayed while high-risk equivocal scans should receive follow-up imaging.
Recommended Citation
Hanyok, B. T., & Freedland, S. J. (2019). Practice Patterns and Outcomes of Equivocal Bone Scans for Patients with Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer: Results from SEARCH. Asian Journal of Urology, 6 (3), 242-248. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajur.2019.01.004
