DIAGNOSIS OF SKELETAL METASTASES AND ASSESSMENT OF RESPONSE TO TREATMENT

Skeletal metastases occur commonly, and it is important to diagnose th em early if the patient is to receive optimum treatment. The diagnosis of the lesion should include not only the site of the lesion and the degree and site of dissemination, but also the presence of any complic ations; the extent of soft tissue involvement, particularly with spina l metastases; and the vascularity of the lesion. The staging of the ca ncer may be important before starting treatment. Response to treatment should be assessed objectively, and as early as possible, so that if a patient has failed to respond, treatment can be altered. Many method s are available for the diagnosis of skeletal metastases and the asses sment of their response to treatment. These methods are discussed in t his article.