Magnetic resonance imaging to detect bone marrow metastases in the initial staging of small cell lung carcinoma and breast carcinoma

Abstract

The staging results obtained in SCLC and FBC patients are different, although both tumors have a high incidence of bone marrow metastases. It may be assumed that the biologic behavior of these tumors is reflected by the initial bone marrow involvement. Because of its superiority compared with biopsy and bone scan, the authors believe MRI should become an integral part of the initial staging procedures in patients with SCLC. When staging patients with FBC, MRI should be applied only in clinically indicated cases.