THE VALUE OF BONE-MARROW EXAMINATION IN SMALL-CELL CARCINOMA OF THE LUNG

Of 668 consecutive patients with SCLC, 472 underwent bone marrow exami nation for staging. In 330 patients a triple examination (sternal aspi ration, iliac crest aspiration and biopsy) was performed, otherwise a single procedure. Bone marrow infiltration (MI) was found in 37% of th e patients with extensive disease, and the frequencies of a positive f inding in single and triple examinaton were not statistically differen t. In the group having triple examination performed iliac crest aspira tion alone disclosed MI in 32%. When all three procedures were include d still more patients with MI were found (42%) but the two values were not significantly different. In 6.6% of patients who would have been classified as 'limited' did bone marrow examination change the stage t o extensive disease. Based on these results we recommend iliac crest a spiration, but not triple examination with iliac crest biopsy, in the staging of SCLC.