From the Guidelines
The frequency of bone scintigraphy (bone scan) should be determined based on the clinical indication and patient's specific condition, with scans typically performed every 3-6 months during active treatment and every 6-12 months during follow-up for cancer patients with known or suspected bone metastases. For cancer patients, the frequency of bone scintigraphy varies based on the type and stage of cancer, as well as the patient's treatment plan and response to treatment.
- For patients with prostate cancer, bone scintigraphy is recommended every 2-4 months or every 6 months, depending on the patient's risk category and treatment response, as suggested by the St Gallen Advanced Prostate Cancer Consensus Conference 1.
- For patients with breast cancer, bone scintigraphy is recommended for patients with locally advanced or symptomatic disease, with follow-up scans performed every 3-4 months for the first 2 years following treatment, then every 6 months in years 3-5, and annually thereafter, as recommended by the ESMO clinical practice guidelines 1.
- For patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), bone scintigraphy is recommended if bone metastases are suspected, with follow-up scans performed every 6-12 weeks after first-line treatment, as suggested by the ESMO clinical practice guidelines 1. In non-oncologic conditions, such as osteomyelitis or unexplained bone pain, bone scans are usually performed as needed based on symptoms rather than on a regular schedule. The frequency of bone scintigraphy is ultimately determined by the treating physician based on the specific clinical scenario, disease progression, treatment response, and the emergence of new symptoms, with more advanced techniques, such as single-photon emission tomography/CT imaging with methylene diphosphate and the newer 18-F-sodium fluoride PET, showing improved performance over conventional planar bone scan 1.
From the Research
Frequency of Bone Scintigraphy
The frequency of bone scintigraphy is not explicitly stated in the provided studies. However, the studies suggest that bone scintigraphy is a commonly used imaging tool for screening patients with cancer, especially those with high prevalence of osseous metastases 2, 3, 4.
Indications for Bone Scintigraphy
Bone scintigraphy is frequently performed in most radiology departments and is an excellent technique for evaluating both oncologic and benign disease processes 3. It is used to detect the presence and extent of primary and secondary bone disease 4.
Comparison with Other Imaging Modalities
Whole-body MRI has been shown to be more accurate and more objective than bone scintigraphy for the detection of bone metastases 5. Positron emission tomography (PET) is also used for the detection of bone metastases and can provide quantitative measurements of bone lesion characteristics 6.
Key Points
- Bone scintigraphy is a commonly used imaging tool for screening patients with cancer 2, 3, 4.
- Whole-body MRI is more accurate and more objective than bone scintigraphy for the detection of bone metastases 5.
- PET can provide quantitative measurements of bone lesion characteristics 6.
- Bone scintigraphy is frequently performed in most radiology departments 3.