A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF STRONTIUM BONE SCANNING FOR DETECTION OF METASTATIC CANCER

Abstract
Evaluation of more than 350 bone scans in cancer patients with proven or suspected metastases has shown Sr85 to be an effective agent for the detection of occult tumors. Biopsy studies in 26 patients indicate that radiostrontium deposits in the new bone formed in reaction to the presence of cancer. Specific uses of bone scans, pitfalls in interpretation, and disadvantages of Sr85 are discussed.