OBJECTIVESTo evaluate the clinical significance of PSA and ECT bone scans in the diagnosis of bone metastasis in prostate cancer patients.

METHODSSixty-seven cases of prostate cancer were reviewed, bone metastasis (BM) occurred in 44 cases, and 23 cases without BM (NBM). The relation between PSA, ECT and bone metastasis was analyzed.

RESULTSThe sensitivity of BM with bone scan of ECT was 91.67%. Single local density of radionuclide with bone scan was found in 6 cases, only 2 cases have BM. The value of PSA between BM and Non-BM group had significant difference (87.28 micrograms/L vs 25.37 micrograms/L, P < 0.01). PSA and the degree of bone metastasis was positively correlated. PSA < 10 micrograms/L, the morbidity of BM was 0; PSA 10-20 micrograms/L, 7.69%; PSA 20-60 micrograms/L, 53.33%; PSA 60-100 micrograms/L, 91.67%; and PSA > 100 micrograms/L, 100%.

CONCLUSIONSECT is a high sensitive method in diagnosis of bone metastasis of prostate cancer, but it is not specific in patients with single focus of BM. As for those patients of prostate cancer without any treatment, while PSA < 10 micrograms/L, the morbidity of BM is rare; while PSA > 100 micrograms/L, BM is in high suspect.