An elevated serum miR-141 level in patients with bone-metastatic prostate cancer is correlated with more bone lesions

The skeleton is the most common metastatic organ in patients with prostate cancer （PCa）. Non-invasive biomarkers that can facilitate the detection and monitoring of bone metastases are highly desirable. We designed this study to assess the expression patterns of serum miR-141 in patients with bone-metastatic PCa. Serum samples were collected to measure the miR-141 level in 56 patients, including six with benign prostatic hyperplasia （BPH）, 20 with localized PCa and 30 with bone-metastatic PCa （10 with hormone-naive PCa, 10 with hormone-sensitive PCa and 10 with hormone-refractory PCa）. A bone scan was performed for each patient with PCa to assess the number of bone lesions. The quantification of serum miR-141 levels was assayed by specific TaqMan qRT-PCR. The results showed that serum miR-141 levels were elevated in patients with bone metastasis （P〈O.O01）. There was no statistically significant difference in the serum miR-141 levels between patients with BPH and patients with localized PCa. Using Kendall＇s bivariate correlation test, both the Gleason score and the number of bone-metastatic lesions were found to correlate with serum miR-141 levels （P=0.012 and P〈O.O01, respectively）. The serum miR-141 level was found to be positively correlated with alkaline phosphatase （ALP） level in patients with skeletal metastasis, using Pearson＇s bivariate correlation test. No relationship was found between the serum miR-141 level and the serum prostate-specific antigen （PSA） level. We concluded that serum miR-141 levels are elevated in patients with bone-metastatic PCa and that patients with higher levels of serum miR-141 developed more bone lesions. Furthermore, serum miR-141 levels are correlated with serum ALP levels but not serum PSA levels.

Long-term survival after gastrectomy and metastasectomy for gastric cancer with synchronous bone metastasis

Bone metastasis is a rare event in patients with gastric cancer, but pathologic fracture, paralysis, pain and hematological disorders associated with the bone metastasis may influence the quality of life. We report herein the case of a 53-year-old man who presented with primary remnant gastric cancer with bone metastasis. The patient requested further investigations after detection of a metastatic lesion in the 2 nd lumbar vertebra during evaluation for back pain that had persisted for 3 mo. No other metastatic lesions were detected. He underwent total gastrectomy and palliative metastasectomy to aid in reduction of symptoms, and he received combination chemotherapy with tegafur(S-1) and cisplatin. The patient survived for about 60 mo after surgery. Currently, there is no treatment guideline for gastric cancer with bone metastasis, and we believe that gastrectomy plus metastasectomy may be an effective therapeutic option for improving qualityof life and survival in patients with resectable primary gastric cancer and bone metastasis.

European vs 2015-World Health Organization clinical molecular and pathological classification of myeloproliferative neoplasms

The BCR/ABL fusion gene or the Ph^1-chromosome in the t(9;22)(q34;q11)exerts a high tyrokinase acticity,which is the cause of chronic myeloid leukemia(CML).The1990 Hannover Bone Marrow Classification separated CML from the myeloproliferative disorders essential thrombocythemia(ET),polycythemia vera(PV)and chronic megakaryocytic granulocytic myeloproliferation(CMGM).The 2006-2008 European Clinical Molecular and Pathological(ECMP)criteria discovered 3variants of thrombocythemia:ET with features of PV(prodromal PV),"true"ET and ET associated with CMGM.The 2008 World Health Organization(WHO)-ECMP and 2014 WHO-CMP classifications defined three phenotypes of JAK2^(V617F)mutated ET:normocellular ET(WHO-ET),hypercelluar ET due to increased erythropoiesis(prodromal PV)and ET with hypercellular megakaryocytic-granulocytic myeloproliferation.The JAK2^(V617F)mutation load in heterozygous WHO-ET is low and associated with normal life expectance.The hetero/homozygous JAK2^(V617F)mutation load in PV and myelofibrosis is related to myeloproliferative neoplasm(MPN)disease burden in terms of symptomaticsplenomegaly,constitutional symptoms,bone marrow hypercellularity and myelofibrosis.JAK2 exon 12mutated MPN presents as idiopathic eryhrocythemia and early stage PV.According to 2014 WHO-CMP criteria JAK2 wild type MPL^(515)mutated ET is the second distinct thrombocythemia featured by clustered giant megakaryocytes with hyperlobulated stag-horn-like nuclei,in a normocellular bone marrow consistent with the diagnosis of"true"ET.JAK2/MPL wild type,calreticulin mutated hypercellular ET appears to be the third distinct thrombocythemia characterized by clustered larged immature dysmorphic megakaryocytes and bulky(bulbous)hyperchromatic nuclei consistent with CMGM or primary megakaryocytic granulocytic myeloproliferation.

PVSG and WHO vs European Clinical,Molecular and Pathological Criteria for prefibrotic myeloproliferative neoplasms

The Polycythemia Vera Study Group(PVSG),World Health Organization(WHO) and European Clinical,Molecular and Pathological(ECMP) classifications agree upon the diagnostic criteria for polycythemia vera(PV) and advanced primary myelofibrosis(MF). Essential thrombocythemia(ET) according to PVSG and 2007/2008 WHO criteria comprises three variants of JAK2V617 F mutated ET when the ECMP criteria are applied. These include normocellular ET,hypercellular ET with features of early PV(prodromal PV),and hypercellular ET due to megakaryocytic,granulocytic myeloprolifera-tion(ET.MGM). Evolution of prodromal PV into overt PV is common. Development of MF is rare in normocellular ET(WHO-ET) but rather common in hypercellular ET.MGM. The JAK2V617 F mutation burden in heterozygous mutated normocellular ET and in heterozygous/homozygous or homozygous mutated PV and ET.MGM is of major prognostic significance. JAK2/MPL wild type ET associated with prefibrotic primary megakaryocytic and granulocytic myeloproliferation(PMGM) is characterized by densely clustered immature dysmorphic megakaryocytes with bulky(bulbous) hyperchromatic nuclei,which are never seen in JAK2V617 F mutated ET,and PV and also not in MPL515 mutated normocellular ET(WHO-ET). JAK2V617 mutation burden,spleen size,LDH,circulating CD34+ cells,and pre-treatment bone marrow histopathology are mandatory to stage the myeloproliferative neoplasms ET,PV,PMGM for proper prognosis assessment and therapeutic implications. MF itself is not a disease because reticulin fibrosis and reticulin/collagen fibrosis are secondary responses of activated polyclonal fibroblasts to cytokines released from the clonal myeloproliferative granulocytic and megakaryocytic progenitor cells in ET.MGM,PV and PMGM.

MULTIVARIATE ANALYSIS OF BONE METASTASES IN BREAST CARCINOMA

Objective： To investigate the risk factors of bone metastases in breast carcinoma. Methods： By cross sectional study, the data of 225 breast cancer patients who were inpatients in four hospitals in Hangzhou were analyzed. All patients underwent total body bone scan with single photon emission computed tomography （SPECT） at least once during 1995 to 2000. Results： All patients were followed-up to 294 months after operation, bone metastases were found in 113 cases, suspected bone metastases 3 cases, with a bone metastases rate of 50.9% （113/222）. Multivariate analysis by Cox＇s proportional hazards regression model showed that there were four risk factors of bone metastases in breast cancer： （1） clinical stage, Ⅰ～Ⅳ stages with a hazard ratio of bone metastases of 1.945, 95% confidence interval 1.396～2.710; （2） number of invaded axillary lymph nodes, with a hazard ratio of 1.039, 95% confidence interval 1.0142～1.068; （3） skeletal complications （yes vs. no）, with a hazard ratio of bone metastases of 1.722, 95% confidence interval 1.060～2.796; （4） age at the time of surgery or diagnosis, with a hazard ratio of 2.048, 95% confidence interval 1.123～3.876 for patients of age 40～50 y versus patients bellow 40 y of age and 2.837, 95% confidence interval 1.473～5.465 for patients of age above 50 y versus patients of ages between 40 and 50. Kaplan-Meier curves showed that for patients with more than 5 invasive axillary lymph nodes, compared with those with 1～5, the bone metastasis rates increased significantly （x^2 =6.3319, P=0.012）. Conclusion： The clinical stage, number of metastatic axillary lymph nodes, age at the time of operation and skeletal complications are essential risk factors of bone metastases.

Epithelioid Angiosarcoma of Bone: A Neoplasm with Potential Pitfalls in Diagnosis

Angiosarcoma of bone is an exceedingly rare primary bone malignancy that can present as an aggressive osteolytic lesion. This subset can radiologically mimic non-vascular neoplasms and impose serious challenges in reaching the correct diagnosis. Meanwhile histological diagnosis can be extremely challenging too, as the pathological features often resemble that of aneurysmal bone cysts. We present an unusual case of a 22-year-old woman who presented with a rapidly growing humeral tumor of 8 months’ duration. The case of intraosseous angiosarcoma presented as a diagnostic dilemma and the relevant radiological and pathologic findings were discussed. We describe the clinical, radiological and pathological features of this unique case, and review the literature concerning Angiosarcoma of bone. Our case highlights the diagnostic difficulties for such very rare tumours and clinico-pathological correlation is of paramount importance to differential diagnosis.

Bone marrow metastatic neuroendocrine carcinoma with unknown primary site:A case report and review of the literature

BACKGROUND Metastatic neuroendocrine carcinoma(NEC) of bone marrow is uncommon.Here,we report a case of bone marrow metastatic NEC with an unknown primary site.CASE SUMMARY A 73-year-old Chinese woman was admitted to our hospital because marked chest distress and asthma lasting 1 d on March 18,2018.She was initially diagnosed with pulmonary infection,cardiac insufficiency,thrombocytopenia and severe anemia.Following treatment with antibiotic therapy,diuresis and blood transfusion,the patient’s symptoms greatly improved.After bone marrow examinations,the patient was diagnosed with bone marrow metastatic NEC,bone marrow necrosis(BMN) and secondary myelofibrosis(MF).Further imaging workup did not show the primary tumor,we presumed that the primary site might regress spontaneously or merely be unexplored due to lack of positron emission tomography with gallium peptide.Everolimus(10 mg/d) was added to the treatment and the best supportive and symptomatic therapies were also administered.Unfortunately,the patient’s condition continued to deteriorate and she died on May 15,2018.CONCLUSION Bone marrow invasion of NEC is rare and our patient who suffered from bone marrow metastatic NEC as well as secondary BMN and MF had an extremely poor prognosis.Bone marrow biopsy plays an important role in the diagnosis of solid tumors invading bone marrow.

Practice patterns and outcomes of equivocal bone scans for patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer: Results from SEARCH

Objective:To review follow-up imaging after equivocal bone scans in men with castration resistant prostate cancer(CRPC)and examine the characteristics of equivocal bone scans that are associated with positive follow-up imaging.Methods:We identified 639 men from five Veterans Affairs Hospitals with a technetium-99m bone scan after CRPC diagnosis,of whom 99(15%)had equivocal scans.Men with equivocal scans were segregated into“high-risk”and“low-risk”subcategories based upon wording in the bone scan report.All follow-up imaging(bone scans,computed tomography[CT],magnetic resonance imaging[MRI],and X-rays)in the 3 months after the equivocal scan were reviewed.Variables were compared between patients with a positive vs.negative follow-up imaging after an equivocal bone scan.Results:Of 99 men with an equivocal bone scan,43(43%)received at least one follow-up imaging test,including 32/82(39%)with low-risk scans and 11/17(65%)with high-risk scans(p=0.052).Of follow-up tests,67%were negative,14%were equivocal,and 19%were positive.Among those who underwent follow-up imaging,3/32(9%)low-risk men had metastases vs.5/11(45%)high-risk men(p=0.015).Conclusion:While 19%of all men who received follow-up imaging had positive follow-up imaging,only 9%of those with a low-risk equivocal bone scan had metastases versus 45%of those with high-risk.These preliminary findings,if confirmed in larger studies,suggest follow-up imaging tests for low-risk equivocal scans can be delayed while high-risk equivocal scans should receive follow-up imaging.

Soft tissue aneurysmal bone cyst of the mandible:Report of a case

We report the case of a 17-year-old boy with a soft tissue aneurysmal bone cyst(STABC) located in the posterior aspect of the right mandible.Conventional radiography revealed no positive findings.On the computed tomography scan,the lesion appeared to have a nonuniform intralesional density.Magnetic resonance imaging revealed an abnormal soft tissue masses with cystic component in the superficial part of right mandibular body and angle with intact cortex.Following histopathological examination,fibro-histiocytic proliferation,blood-filled spaces and multinucleated giant cells were seen and the lesion was diagnosed as a STABC.The mass together with underlying bone and periosteum on its periphery was surgically resected under general anesthesia.Thirty-six months after surgery the patient was assessed at outpatient clinic and found no sign of recurrence This may be only the first reported case of the mandible in the English literature of this extremely rare benign tumor occurring in soft tissue.

67例肺癌ECT全身骨显像及血清Cyfra21-1、NSE、CEA、CA125联合测定分析

目的探讨肿瘤标志物Cyfra21-1、NSE、CEA、CA125与肺癌骨转移及转移程度之间的相关性。方法 ECT骨显像采用西门子e.cam SPECT,^(99m)TC-MDP为显像剂,67例确诊为肺癌的患者全部行ECT骨显像;采用罗氏电化学发光分析仪(Cabas6000.e 601)对30例健康者、33例肺结核患者及67例肺癌患者进行了血清肿瘤标志物Cyfra21-1、NSE、CEA、CA125联合测定。分析了肺癌骨转移与肿瘤标志物间的关系。结果肺癌血清肿瘤标志物Cyfra21-1、NSE、CEA、CA125明显高于肺结核及健康对照组;P<0.01。胸水中的Cyfra21-1、NSE测定值明显高于血清值;肺癌肿瘤标志物与肺癌病理类型之间有一定相关性,鳞癌Cyfra21-1为(71.45±22.81)ng/mL明显高于其他肺癌组P<0.01。小细胞肺癌NSE测定值为(98.67±36.54)ng/mL,明显高于其他肺癌组,P<0.01;67例肺癌未发生明显骨转移征象者33例,占49.3%;发生不同程度骨转移者34例,占50.7%;其中发生1～2处骨转移者14例,占20.9%;广泛骨转移者20例,占29.9%。腺癌骨转移发生率最高,达64%,其次是小细胞肺癌和鳞癌;肺癌骨转移程度与肿瘤标志物浓度有一定关系,广泛骨转移者Cyfra21-1和NSE测定值>局限转移>未转移者。结论肺癌骨转移及骨转移的程度与肿瘤标志物的表达程度有一定的相关性,多发骨转移常伴有明显的肿瘤标志物异常。肿瘤标志物Cyfra21-1有利于非小细胞性肺癌的检出,尤其是鳞癌的检出;NSE则有利于小细胞性肺癌的检出。联合测定Cyfra21 1、NSE、CEA、CA125大大提高了肿瘤检查的阳性率、灵敏度和准确度。全身骨显像及肺癌肿瘤标志物的联合检查对于肺癌的诊断和鉴别诊断有重要的临床价值。

ECT联合NSE、NTx、BSP检测对肺癌骨转移的诊断价值

目的探讨放射性核素骨显像(ECT)联合神经元特异性烯醇化酶(NSE)、Ι型胶原交联氨基末端肽(NTx)、骨涎蛋白(BSP)诊断肺癌骨转移的价值。方法随机选取行ECT的肺癌患者82例为实验组,根据是否发生骨转移分为骨转移组(≤2个骨转移灶,>2个骨转移灶)和无骨转移组;另选30例健康体检者为对照组,应用罗氏Cobas601全自动化学发光仪、ELISA法分别检测外周血清中NSE、BSP、NTx的含量。结果实验组血清中NSE、BSP、NTx含量明显高于对照组(t=6.47、4.92、6.88;P<0.01)。实验组中ECT显示发生骨转移45例(骨转移组),显像正常无骨转移37例(无骨转移组),骨转移组与无骨转移组的基本情况比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。无骨转移组NSE、NTx、BSP的含量均高于对照组,差异无统计学意义(t=0.8、1.28、1.34,P=0.43、0.20、0.18);骨转移组血清相关指标含量明显高于对照组(t=9.13、9.47、9.99,P<0.01)。小于或等于2个骨转移灶患者的NSE、BSP、NTx水平明显低于大于2个骨转移灶患者的血清相关指标水平(t=2.28、2.61、2.65,P=0.028、0.012、0.014)。ECT联合外周血清相关指标含量检测的敏感性和特异性可以达到98.3%和95.5%。结论 ECT联合血清中NSE、BSP、NTx水平检测可以提高肺癌骨转移的检出率。

FEASIBILITY OF WHOLE BODY DIFFUSION WEIGHTED IMAGING IN DETECTING BONE METASTASIS ON 3.0T MR SCANNER

Objective To evaluate the feasibility of whole body diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) in bone metastasis detection using bone scintigraphy as comparison. Methods Forty-five patients with malignancy history were enrolled in our study. All the patients received the whole body DWI and bone scintigraphy scan within 1 week. The magnetic resonance (MR) examination was performed on 3.0T MR scanner using embedded body coil. The images were reviewed separately by two radiologists and two nuclear medicine physicians, who were blinded to the results of the other imaging modality. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of the two techniques for detecting bone metastasis were analyzed. Results A total of 181 metastatic lesions in 77 regions of 34 patients were detected by whole body DWI, and 167 metastatic lesions in 76 regions of 31 patients were identified by bone scintigraphy. The patient-based sensitivity and PPV of whole body DWI and bone scintigraphy were similar (89.5% vs. 81.6%, 97.1% vs. 91.2%), whereas, the patient-based specificity and NPV of whole body DWI were obviously higher than those of bone scintigraphy (85.7% vs. 57.1%, 60.0% vs. 36.4%). Ten regions negative in scintigraphy but positive in whole body DWI, mainly located in spine, pelvis, and femur; nine regions only detected by scintigraphy, mainly located in skull, sternum, clavicle, and scapula. The region-based sensitivity and specificity of whole body DWI were slightly higher than those of bone scintigraphy (89.5% vs. 88.4%, 95.6% vs. 87.6%). Conclusion Whole body DWI reveals excellent concordance with bone scintigraphy regarding detection of bone metastasis, and the two techniques are complementary for each other.

Imaging of bone metastasis: An update

Early detection of skeletal metastasis is critical for accurate staging and optimal treatment. This paper briefly reviews our current understanding of the biological mechanisms through which tumours metastasise to bone and describes the available imaging methods to diagnose bone metastasis and monitor response to treatment. Among the various imaging modalities currently available for imaging skeletal metastasis, hybrid techniques whichfuse morphological and functional data are the most sensitive and specific, and positron emission tomography(PET)/computed tomography and PET/magnetic resonance imaging will almost certainly continue to evolve and become increasingly important in this regard.

STUDY ON THE EFFECT OF T-2 TOXIN AND SELENIUM ON CD44 EXPRESSION IN THE CULTURED HUMAN FETAL CHONDROCYTES IN VITRO

Objective To investigate the effect on the structure of reestablished cartilage in vitro and CD44 expression on chondrocytes and compare the inducing effect on the reestablished cartilage in vitro between cortical bone matrix gelatin and cancellous bone matrix gelatin. Methods To plant human fetal chondrocytes on the BMG, the damage of the cultured chondrocytes was observed by the optical microscope (HE staining). The immunohistochemistry of CD44 was quantitative analysis by the image collection and analysis system. Results With the increasing concentration of T 2 toxin, the damage of chondroytes was more and more evident and CD44 expression was lowered. After adding selenium, the damage was relieved and CD44 expression increased. The density of chondrocytes on the cortical bone matrix gelatin was much higher than that on the cancellous bone matrix gelatin. Conclusion T 2 toxin can lower the CD44 expression on the chondrocytes and adding selenium can relieve the damage caused by T 2toxin and increased CD44 expression. The inducing effect on reestablished cartilage in vitro of cortical bone matrix gelatin was much higher than that of cancellous bone matrix gelatin.

Efficacies of ^(89)Sr and combination treatments with regional extra-beam radiotherapy for cancer patients with multiple bone metastasis

Objective:The aim of the study was to observe the efficacies of 89Sr and combination treatments with regional extra-beam radiotherapy for cancer patients with multiple bone metastasis.Methods:A total of 106 patients were divided into two groups, and each group were 53 patients:the simple 89Sr treatment group (simple group), and local radiotherapy and 89Sr treatment group (combination group).The dose of 4 mci of 89Sr was made in every patient by intravenous injection, 6 MV linear accelerator external irradiation dose was given 30-60 Gy/2-4 weeks.Results:The effective rates of simple and combination groups were respectively 83.01% and 90.56%; the effective improvement rates of the bone focus of two groups were 75.48% and 86.8%, respectively.There was homologous improvement in general conditions.Conclusion:89Sr treatment has a certain effect to the cancers of whole-body multiple bone metastases.And the combined treatment with regional radiotherapy can improve the efficacy and life quality of cancer patients with bone metastasis.

The value of bone scintigraphy on the determination of the full extent of tumor involvement in jaw bones

Objective： To prospectively investigate the value of bone scintigraphy on determining the full extent of tumor involvement in jaw bones and to assess the presence of metastases. Methods： This study had local ethical committee approval, and all patients gave written informed consent. Thirty seven consecutive patients with primary malignant tumor in jaw bones were recruited for the study. Bone scintigraphy was performed in all patients before surgery to measure the full extent of bony involvement, which was compared with histologic findings. Results： Whole body scan revealed one case with multiple bony metastases. Resection specimens of 36 bone neoplasms were pathologically analyzed to identify type and size of each tumor. The lengths of the tumor involvement in jaw bones defined by bone scintigraphy and pathology were 5.62 ± 1.58 cm, 4.48 ± 1.57 cm, respectively （P 〈 0.05）. The tumor negative margins from removed specimens according to bone scintigraphy were pathologically confirmed. With histologic findings as the standard of reference, the accuracy of bone scintigraphy was 100% （36 of 36 patients） in determining the full extent of tumor involvement in jaw bones. Conclusion： Bone scintigraphy tends to offer specific guidelines in determining the appropriate extent of bone resection while entirely clearing the tumor cells and preserving functions whenever possible and in establishing the bony metastases.

Massive allograft replacement in management of bone tumors

Objective： To evaluate the functional outcome and complications of allograft replacement in management of bone tumors. Methods： Between March 1992 and September 2002, 164 patients underwent bone tumor resection and massive allograft reconstruction of bone defects. The length of the resected part ranged from 5-35 cm. The resections were classified as marginal or wide resections of the tumor on the basis of the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society staging system. Fresh-frozen allografts were employed as osteoarticular grafts （n = 95）, hemi-condylar （n = 15）, massive （n = 23）, allograft-prosthesis composite （n = 12）, intercalary grafts （n = 15） or hemi-pelvic grafts （n = 4）. Most of the lesions were osteosarcoma and giant cell tumor of bone and located in proximal and distal femur, proximal tibia and humerus. Results： At a median follow-up of 47 months （range, 12 to 168 months） after the operation, 154 of the patients in the study were free of disease and 10 died of disease. Twenty-one （12.8%） patients had local recurrence and 38 （23.2%） nonunion. Late complications included 11 （6.7%） fractures of the allograft and 18 （11.0%） infections of the graft, instability of the joint in the form of subluxation was noted in 13 （7.9%） patients. Ten extremities were amputated due to local recurrence or severe infection. Conclusion： AIIografts can be used for reconstruction of bony defects after tumor resection. AIIograft has nearly similar shape, strength, osteo-inductivity and osteo-conductivity with host bone. AIIograft implantation is a high complication reconstruction method, and the dsk of recurrence increases when less surgical margin achieves.

The evaluation of Tracp5b as a marker for monitoring treatment results of bone metastasis in breast cancer patients

Objective ：To evaluate the sensitivity of serum tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b（Tracp5b） activity in monitoring bisphosphonate treatment results of bone metastasis in breast cancer（BC） patients. Methods：The serum activities of Tracp5b, CEA, CA153 were measured in 58 BC patients, including 26 without bone metastasis, 32 with bone metastasis. The serum activities of TracpSb, CEA, CA153 were also measured in 19 patients with bone metastasis after 3 months of bisphosphonate treatment. Eighteen healthy women with age from 34 to 70 served as control. Results：Serum TracpSb was significantly elevated in patients with bone metastasis compared with that in all any other groups（P〈 0.05）. The sensitivity of TracpSb was 78.13% and the specificity was 86.36%. The sensitivity of CA153 was 37.50% and the specificity was 77.27%. The sensitivity of CEA was 21.88% and the specificity was 84.09%. The serum activity of TracpSb decreased significantly（P 〈 0.05） after 3 months of bisphosphonate treatment, while the levels of CA153 and CEA were unchanged. Conclusion：Serum Tracp5b activity is a useful diagnostic marker for bone metastasis in BC patients and can be used to evaluate the treatment results of bisphosphonate.

^(68)Ga-PSMA PET/CT versus CT and bone scan for investigation of PSA failure post radical prostatectomy

Objective:To evaluate the use of Gallium-68 prostate-specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography/computed tomography(^(68)Ga-PSMA PET/CT),compared with conventional CT abdomen/pelvis(CTAP)and whole body single photon emission CT bone scan(BS),for detection of local or distant metastasis following biochemical failure/recurrence in post-prostatectomy patients.Methods:We conducted a review of our prospectively maintained,institutional database to identify 384 patients with post-prostatectomy biochemical failure/recurrence who underwent PSMA PET/CT,CTAP and BS from February 2015 to August 2017 in Nepean Hospital,tertiary referral centre.The results of the three imaging modalities were analysed for their ability to detect local recurrence and distant metastases.PSMA PET/CT and CTAP imaging were separately performed on the same day and the BS was performed within several days(mostly in 24 h).Difference in detection rates was determined between the modalities and the Chi square test was used to determine significance.Results:A total of 384 patients were identified with a median prostate-specific antigen(PSA)of 0.465 ng/mL(interquartile range =0.19-2.00 ng/mL).Overall,PSMA PET/CT was positive for 245(63.8%)patients whereas CTAP and BS were positive in 174 patients(45.3%).A total of 98 patients(25.5%)had local or distant metastasis detected on PSMA only,while 20 patients(5.2%)had recurrences detected on CTAP but not on PSMA PET/CT.Conclusion:The use of PSMA PET/CT has a higher detection rate of predicted local or distant metastasis compared to CTAP and BS in the staging of patients with biochemical recurrences after radical prostatectomy.

Evaluation of eikonic characteristic of skeletal metastasis of primary pulmonary carcinoma with ^(99)Tc^m methylene diphosphonate whole-body bone scans

Objective： The aim of our study was to explore the eikonic characteristic of skeletal metastasis of primary pul- monary carcinoma. Methods： Whole-body bone scans with 99Tcm methylene diphosphonate were performed in 258 patients with pathologically proven pulmonary carcinoma. The rate of skeletal metastasis, distribution of the metastatic lesions and their characteristics were analyzed. Results： Among the total 258 patients, 142 cases developed skeletal metastasis. The overall rate of skeletal metastasis was 55.0%. The metastases located in axial skeleton were 49.6%, appendicular skeleton 36.0%, trunk bones of the axial skeleton 48.4%, and appendicular girdle skeleton 31.4%. Ribs, thoracic vertebrae, ilium and lumbar vertebrae had a higher rate of skeletal metastasis, which were 38.4%, 24.0%, 21.7%, 20.2%, respectively. 1252 le- sions were detected including 406 at the left side of the body, 387 lesions at the middle position and 459 at the right side of the body. There was no significant difference in terms of number of lesions between left side and right side （X2 = 3.3, P = 0.072）. 1224 skeletal metastatic foci （97.8%） were presented as strong radioactive, 26 （2.1%） as mixed lesions, and 2 （0.2%） as low radioactive. According to the shape of lesions, there were 810 punctate lesions （71.5%）, 159 （14.0%） lump form, 108 （9.5%） strip form and 56 （4.9%） lamellar form. The accumulative skeletal metastasis rate was 28.7% for the patients with one to three lesions. The metastasis rate decreased gradually as the number of metastatic lesions increased. Conclusion： Skeletal metastasis is very common in patients with pulmonary carcinoma. Most skeletal metastases are characterized by strong radio- active and earlier punctate form; they often occur in the trunk bones of axial skeleton or appendicular girdles. The distribution of earlier metastases has not obvious regularity, and advanced skeletal metastases are widely and randomly distributed in the body, which are characterized by often concurrently multiple and polymorphous lesions.