A bone biopsy is mandatory in the optimal management of bone lesions in patients with a long-term history of malignancy of the breast

Bone lesions, present in two women with primary breast cancer treated more than 5 years ago, were investigated thoroughly by biochemical markers and i maging techniques. The definite diagnosis was established by bone biopsy, w hich revealed two totally unrelated disorders that altered the management a nd prognosis for these two patients. One patient had Paget's disease, and t he other had metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.