Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Prostatism”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 487 records · Page 27Linked to original sources

Methodological and clinical comparison of the ACS prostate-specific antigen assay and the Tandem-E prostate-specific antigen assay in prostate cancer.

OBJECTIVES: The new ACS prostate-specific antigen (PSA) assay was methodologically and clinically compared with the established Tandem-E PSA assay. We intended to find a possible advantage in primary diagnosis and monitoring the recurrence of prostate cancer due to the additional better recognition of the free PSA form by the ACS PSA assay. METHODS: sera of 51 healthy men, 127 patients with hyperplasia, and 82 untreated patients with prostate cancer were analyzed by means of the Tandem-E PSA assay (Hybritech) and the ACS PSA assay (Ciba Corning). Follow-up was done on 12 cancer patients with recurrences. RESULTS: Both assays correlated very well (r = .98 for all studied men or hyperplasia patients or cancer patients). However, both assays did not yield comparable values: The ACS assay was characterized by nearly doubled values compared with the Tandem-E assay. At 95% specificity versus patients with benign hyperplasia, cutoff values were obtained as follows: 28.8 ng/mL for the ACS PSA assay and 15.2 ng/mL for the Tandem-E assay. At 95% specificity versus hyperplasia patients, we calculated sensitivities of 60% (ACS PSA) and 63% (Tandem-E PSA). Our longitudinal study revealed more prominent slopes for the ACS assay in patients with recurrent cancer disease. However, using either the ACS assay or the Tandem-E assay, the PSA increase started at the same time. In 1 patient, the increasing ACS PSA accelerated 3 months earlier than the increasing Tandem-E PSA did. CONCLUSIONS: The ACS assay has obviously higher PSA levels. The clinician is not familiar with such high PSA levels. The specificity-sensitivity profile nonetheless remains unchanged. If the PSA concentration is measured by the ACS assay, patients who relapse will reveal a more rapid PSA increase. Then, recurrent cancer disease may be detected earlier in some cases.

Adult↗

Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) velocity and benign prostate hypertrophy predict for PSA spikes following prostate brachytherapy.

PURPOSE: To evaluate if variants of serum PSA or benign prostatic hypertrophy correlate with the development of a PSA spike following permanent prostate brachytherapy. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Two-hundred-eighteen hormone-naïve patients with clinical T1b-T3a (1997 AJCC) prostate cancer who were treated with brachytherapy between August 1995 and November 1999, with or without supplemental external beam radiation therapy, and who remained free of biochemical failure were analyzed. The median follow-up was 46 months. A PSA spike was defined as a rise > or =0.2 ng/mL followed by a durable decline. Biochemical disease-free survival was defined by the ASTRO Consensus Definition with the additional constraint that the most recent PSA be < or =1.0 ng/mL. In addition, none of the patients possessed equivocal biochemical results (1 or 2 consecutive PSA rises or a declining PSA >1.0 ng/mL). In addition to previously reported clinical, treatment, and dosimetric parameters evaluated for spike, PSA density, transition zone (TZ) PSA density, percent free PSA, PSA velocity, PSA doubling time, TZ volume, and transition zone index (TZI) were included. The PSA kinetics of 18 hormone naïve patients who were implanted during the same time period and subsequently failed were also evaluated. RESULTS: Fifty-two (23.9%) developed a PSA spike. Of the demographic and preimplant clinical parameters, patient age, TZ volume, TZI, TZ PSA density, and 125I were statistically significant predictors for a PSA spike. Of the postimplant parameters, V200, follow-up, first postimplant PSA, and most recent PSA predicted for a PSA spike. In multivariate Cox regression analysis, PSA nadir, TZI, follow-up, age, months to PSA nadir and preimplant PSA velocity were significant predictors for spike. However, when variables only determinable after a PSA spike were included in the multivariate analysis, TZI, age, PSA velocity, and first postimplant PSA were predictors for a spike. Using categorical cutpoints of TZI >0.25, age at implant <62 years, and first postimplant PSA >1.0 ng/mL in the regression analysis, a positive likelihood ratio for a PSA spike of >1.8 was noted for each variable. Patients with PSA progression displayed significantly different PSA kinetics than those with a spike. CONCLUSIONS: In multivariate analysis, PSA nadir, TZI, patient age, months to PSA nadir, follow-up, and preimplant PSA velocity were predictive of a PSA spike. However, when only variables identifiable prior to a spike were evaluated, TZI, patient age, preimplant PSA velocity, and first postimplant PSA were the strongest predictors for a PSA spike.

Aged↗

Free-to-total prostate-specific antigen serum concentrations in patients with prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the proportion of total serum prostate-specific antigen (tPSA) which is unbound or free (free PSA) offers a better discriminant for the detection of patients with prostate cancer (CaP) and those with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) than does serum tPSA alone. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a retrospective analysis, the proportion of free PSA was determined in the sera of 60 patients with histologically confirmed localized (n = 39; pT1-3NoMo) and metastatic (n = 21; T2-4NxM+) CaP and 45 patients with BPH. Forty patients with urolithiasis served as a control group. Serum levels of free and total PSA were determined using a chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay. RESULTS: Patients with CaP had a lower percentage of free PSA (localized CaP median 8.8%; metastatic CaP median 7.1%) than patients with BPH (median 19.5%) and those with urolithiasis (median 18.8%: P < 0.001). The percentage of free PSA did not differ significantly between patients with clinically localized and metastatic disease. CONCLUSION: The determination of the proportion of free PSA enhanced the discrimination between BPH and CaP and may reduce the number of unnecessary biopsies in patients with an elevated PSA. The results warrant further investigations in a broader population to improve the clinical use of serum PSA as a tumour marker for discriminating patients with an early, potentially curable CaP from men with BPH.

Aged↗

Comparison of prostate-specific antigen and prostatic acid phosphatase in the management of prostatic cancer.

Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP) have been evaluated in patients with prostatic cancer. All patients, who participated in a phase III trial (n = 110), had disseminated disease and received first line endocrine treatment of either orchidectomy or a monthly injection of a depot luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone analogue (Zoladex). Serum samples were analyzed for PSA and PAP at 0, 3, 6, and 12 months and patients were clinically assessed at 6 and 12 months. At diagnosis, 72 and 97% of all patients had elevated PAP and PSA concentrations (greater than 4 ng/ml), respectively. Patients with progressive disease had significantly higher PSA and PAP levels at both assessments. A small number of patients in the "complete remission" group had both PSA and PAP levels within the normal range after 3 months of treatment. Similarly, both PSA and PAP levels steadily declined in the group of patients who had partial regression of the disease. The patients with stable disease, however, had a significant rise only in their PSA levels at the 12-month assessment. This data suggest that PSA is more sensitive than PAP in those patients who have a "slow progression" of the disease.

Acid Phosphatase↗

Evaluation of a multivariate prostate-specific antigen and percentage of free prostate-specific antigen logistic regression model in the diagnosis of prostate cancer.

The use of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in the diagnosis of prostate cancer is controversial due to false-positive results caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia. Several groups have suggested the usefulness of the percentage of free PSA (%fPSA) in patients with PSA levels between 4 and 10 microg/l. Based on previously obtained results, biopsy is carried out in our hospital if the PSA is greater than 10 microg/l or if the %fPSA is lower than 20% and PSA is between 4-10 microg/l. In this study, we have compared these results with those obtained with a logistic regression model based on the determination of PSA and %fPSA. The diagnostic efficacy of the logistic regression model is greater than that of the currently used model. The posterior construction of a nomogram based on the data obtained greatly facilitates the application of the logistic regression model.

Aged↗

Prostate-specific antigen: insufficient discrimination between benign prostatic hyperplasia and organ-confined prostate cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Discrimination of patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) from those with cancer of the prostate (CaP) is crucial to the management of these diseases. At present, a number of new treatment modalities for symptomatic BPH, which include various nonsurgical treatment modalities, are being discussed. Prior to treatment, it is important to exclude those patients with CaP. In the present study we examined retrospectively the serum prostatic-specific-antigen (PSA) values in both patient groups in order to determine whether serum PSA identifies those patients harboring organ-confined CaP. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Group 1 consisted of 121 patients with histologically confirmed BPH as determined from pathological analysis of the surgically removed specimens. Group 2 included 69 patients with organ-confined CaP, confirmed pathologically from the analysis of the radical prostatectomy specimens. PSA serum concentration was analyzed in both groups. RESULTS: The median PSA level was 3.96 ng/ml (range: 0.5-31.2 ng/ml) in the BPH group and 7.8 ng/ml (range: 0.7-37.7 ng/ml) in the CaP group. In spite of a statistically significant difference (p = 0.0001), serum PSA values overlapped considerably in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Serum PSA demonstrated only a limited ability to discriminate between BPH and organ-confined CaP. Therefore some patients with symptomatic BPH undergoing nonsurgical treatment may harbor clinically significant CaP despite "normal' serum PSA values. Furthermore, PSA-based screening may overlook a significant percentage of patients in whom a rectal digital examination would detect CaP.

Aged↗

Prostate-specific antigen density and age-specific prostate-specific antigen values: the solution of prostate cancer screening?

The results of 225 systematic prostate biopsies from 1992 to 1993 were evaluated retrospectively. The parameters prostate-specific antigen (PSA) density and age-specific PSA values were compared with digital rectal examination, transrectal ultrasound, and PSA as single parameters and possible combinations. The PSA density proved to have the highest specificity of all single parameters, but the sensitivity was low. Age-specific PSA values are offering a good compromise of sensitivity and specificity as compared with fixed cutoff levels. Since there is no sufficient screening parameter up to now, a combination of all parameters is recommended for screening of early prostate cancer.

Aged↗

Stage A1 prostate cancer: follow-up with digital rectal exploration, prostate markers, fine-needle aspiration, ultrasonographically guided needle biopsy and biopsies of the residual prostate with resectoscope.

From January 1985 to December 1990, we performed 921 TURP and 23 retropubic adenomectomies. In 70 patients (7.4%) histological examination revealed an incidental carcinoma of the prostate (stage A), 51 of which (72.8%) were A1 and 19 (27.2%) stage A2. In our classification A1 covers cases with < 3 G1 focal lesions [Boxer, 1977]. Thirteen of the A2 cases underwent radical prostatectomy: 1 pT1G1-2, 9 pT2G1-2, 3 pT3G2 (TNM 1978); the remaining 6 were given palliative treatment. The 51 stage A1 patients were recalled for follow-up evaluation, only 20 came for checking. They were reassessed by means of DRE, markers, prostate cytologic aspiration, echo-guided transperineal needle biopsy and resection of the prostatic cavity. Our experience seems to suggest that, if we define A1 as < 3 G1 chips or less, this stage is to be considered an incidental illness that seems not to require further treatment, but only a policy of surveillance with yearly markers, DRE and echo-guided needle biopsy.

Aged↗

The pursuit of prostate cancer in patients with a rising prostate-specific antigen and multiple negative transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsies.

To determine if patients with persistently elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels who have had transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)-guided prostate biopsies negative for carcinoma will benefit from additional saturation (> or =14 cores) TRUS biopsies with or without transurethral (TUR) biopsies. A retrospective review of 35 men between ages 51-74 with PSA values between 4.5-46 ng/mL, normal digital rectal examinations, and > or =2 previously negative sextant TRUS biopsies. Seventeen patients had TUR biopsies in addition to saturation TRUS biopsies. Eighteen patients had saturation TRUS biopsies only (median 20 cores). Seven patients who had no cancer detected with the combined TRUS/TUR biopsies had an additional saturation biopsy performed (median 20 cores). Seven (20%) of the 35 patients who had a saturation biopsy had cancer detected, and one (5.9%) cancer was detected in the 17 men that had a TUR biopsy. Five (71.4%) of the seven patients who had an additional TRUS biopsy had cancer detected (total core range 45-60). The overall yield of prostate cancer was therefore 37.1%, with 1-9 cores positive (median 5 cores). For patients with a rising PSA and > or =2 negative sextant TRUS biopsies, the cancer yield of the initial saturation TRUS biopsies was 20%. Furthermore, a significant proportion of patients with negative initial saturation biopsies had cancer detected on repeat TRUS biopsy. The cancer yield of adding TUR biopsies in this same group of patients is < 6.

Aged↗

Prostate cancer detection in men with prior high grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia or atypical prostate biopsy.

PURPOSE: We used clinical variables to predict prostate cancer detection on re-biopsy among patients diagnosed with high grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) or atypia on initial prostate biopsy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 45 men with atypia and 43 with high grade PIN were eligible for our study. Clinical variables were tested with univariate and multivariate logistic regression to predict who would have cancer on re-biopsy. We also calculated the odds of detecting cancer with various repeat sampling strategies and determined whether the location of initial atypia or high grade PIN is correlated to that of cancer on re-biopsy. RESULTS: Of the patients in the atypia and high grade PIN groups 51% had cancer on re-biopsy. Cancer was diagnosed significantly earlier in the high grade PIN than in the atypia cohort (average 7.5 versus 22.9 months, respectively, p = 0.005). Multivariate logistic modeling showed that digital rectal examination and patient age were independent predictors of cancer in atypia, whereas no variables were significantly predictive for high grade PIN. Of cancers in the atypia and high grade PIN 65% and 74%, respectively, would have been detected if re-biopsy was focused only at the initial site of disease. CONCLUSIONS: Men with atypia or high grade PIN merit close followup because 50% will have cancer on re-biopsy as will those who are older with an abnormal digital rectal examination. Although re-biopsy should focus primarily on the original site of atypia or high grade PIN, cancer detection significantly increases with the sampling of adjacent sites.

Aged↗

The current role of prostatic acid phosphatase and prostate-specific antigen in the management of prostate cancer.

Although PSA is considered to be the true serum marker of prostatic tissue and a valuable indicator for cancer in the gland, knowledge of its significance and limitations is essential to its use for screening, staging, and monitoring CAP. PSA may be used in conjunction with DRE for early detection of CAP. Men with abnormal DRE should have a TRUS with or without biopsy. In men older than 50 years and with negative DRE and PSA < 4 ng/mL, annual evaluations are prudent. In patients with a PSA range of 4.0 to 9.9 ng/mL, high-risk groups such as black males and those with a positive family history should have TRUS. Males with negative DRE in the PSA range of 4.0 to 9.9 ng/mL should have TRUS to evaluate prostate volume and PSAD. Biopsy should be considered in those with PSAD > 0.15. Men with PSA > 10 ng/mL, even in the presence of an enlarged benign prostate, should have multiple directed biopsies under TRUS guidance.

Acid Phosphatase↗

The relation of prostatic acid phosphatase and prostate specific antigen with tumour grade in prostatic adenocarcinoma: an immunohistochemical study.

This study examines the relationship between the presence of prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP) and prostate specific antigen (PSA) in tissue, the serum PAP and PSA levels and tumour grade in prostatic adenocarcinoma. Thirty-three tumours were studied by the indirect immunoperoxidase method for PAP and PSA production. Thirty-one of them were stained positive for both markers. The remaining two which previous histopathological studies suggested were transitional cell carcinoma, stained negative. In primary tumours there was a weak trend for poor immunoreactivity in high grade neoplasms but the correlation was not significant. The elevated serum PAP and PSA levels did not correlate with the intensity of staining in the tissue.

Acid Phosphatase↗

The lack of predictive value of prostate specific antigen density in the detection of prostate cancer in patients with normal rectal examinations and intermediate prostate specific antigen levels.

PURPOSE: The management of patients with a normal digital rectal examination and a prostate specific antigen (PSA) level of 4.0 to 10.0 ng./ml. remains controversial. To improve the specificity of cancer detection in this group, PSA density has been recommended with biopsies based on a PSA density of 0.15 or more. To evaluate PSA density as a discriminator of prostate cancer we enrolled patients in a prospective study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective evaluation was done of 44 consecutive patients with a palpably normal digital rectal examination and a serum PSA level of 4.0 to 10.0 ng./ml. enrolled during a 13-month period. All patients underwent transrectal ultrasound with sextant biopsies regardless of calculated PSA density. RESULTS: Overall, 8 of 44 men (18%) had prostate cancer. There was no significant difference in the mean PSA density between the patients with positive and negative biopsies (mean 0.12 and 0.15, respectively, p = 0.258). Also, there was no significant association between PSA or PSA density and a positive biopsy in multivariate analysis (p = 0.863). Receiver operating characteristic curves for PSA and PSA density failed to demonstrate any superior benefit for PSA density in this patient population. A PSA density of 0.15 was an unreliable indicator of cancer (sensitivity 12.5%, specificity 61.1% and positive predictive value 6.7%). CONCLUSIONS: In our study, PSA density did not discriminate between patients with positive and negative biopsies, and in fact most cancers would not have been detected if a PSA density of 0.15 or more had been used as the sole indication for biopsy. Therefore, we recommend systematic biopsies in these patients independent of calculated PSA density.

Aged↗

Evaluation of radiation effect, tumor differentiation, and prostate specific antigen staining in sequential prostate biopsies after external beam radiotherapy for patients with prostate carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Sequential systematic biopsies after radiotherapy (RT) for prostate carcinoma were evaluated with respect to radiation effect, tumor differentiation, and prostate specific antigen (PSA) staining, and these histopathologic parameters were correlated with local outcome. METHODS: Since 1990, transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsies have been used to follow patients with localized prostate carcinoma after radical external RT at the General Hospital division of the Ottawa Regional Cancer Centre. Eighty-nine patients with residual tumor in 1 or more biopsies at 10-78 months of follow-up were selected for review. All patients had undergone biopsy on more than one occasion. The 198 biopsies were stained for PSA, high molecular weight keratin, and proliferative cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). Therapy effect was graded by nuclear and cytoplasmic changes. RESULTS: Of these 89 selected patients, 25 progressed to local failure (LF), 38 had delayed tumor clearance, and 26 remained biopsy positive without local or biochemical progression. In the 24- and 36-month biopsies, RT effect correlated with mean nadir serum PSA (Grade 4-6 RT effect: 0.7 ng/mL; Grade 0-3 RT effect: 1.3 ng/mL [P = 0.01]) and with local outcome (Grade 0-2 RT effect: 55% LF; Grade 3-4 RT effect: 30% LF; and Grade 5-6 RT effect: 0% LF [P = 0.003]). Of tumors with minimal RT effect, 61% were PCNA positive, compared with 34% for moderate and 17% for marked RT effect (P < 0.001). Adjacent areas within biopsies showed varied RT effect in 27 patients, of whom 41% had local failure, compared with 18% of patients with uniform RT effect (P = 0.03). Gleason score was assigned only if RT effect was minimal (36 patients/59 biopsies); 74% had the same Gleason score (+/-1) as the original, whereas 23% were 2 points lower. Only 1 biopsy lost PSA staining completely and 10% stained faintly, whereas 34% stained moderately and 55% strongly. CONCLUSIONS: PSA staining is apparently retained in residual tumor after RT, despite obvious RT effect. RT effect correlates with serum PSA nadir, PCNA staining, and local outcome. Varied RT effect is commonly observed in biopsies, and correlates with local failure. There is no convincing evidence for tumor dedifferentiation after RT.

Aged↗

The correlation between prostate-specific antigen and age. Analysis of prostate-specific antigen values from 4,846 Turkish men with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels of men proven to have benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and to document any correlation between PSA, age and resected or enucleated prostate tissue. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Serum PSA values, age and weight of specimens of 4,846 men who underwent prostatectomy in the Ankara region between January 1, 1991, and December 24, 1995, were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: Serum PSA values correlated directly with age (Pearson's r = 0.45, p < 0.00001). The mean PSA values of men in each decade of age differed significantly (p < 0.0001) from all other decades. However, the correlation between the weight of the prostatectomy specimen and age or PSA did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSION: The effect of age on PSA is evident in men with symptoms of BPH. The existence of symptomatic BPH should also be considered together with age when interpreting PSA levels.

Aged↗

Effects of bicalutamide and leuprolide on prostate-specific antigen (PSA), acid phosphatase (ACP) and prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP) in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

The effects of the nonsteroidal antiandrogen bicalutamide (Casodex(TM)) and the luteinizing hormone releasing hormone agonist leuprolide depot (Procren Depot(TM), Lupron Depot(TM)) on serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA), acid phosphatase (ACP), and prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP) in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) were determined. Thirty patients with BPH were randomised to receive bicalutamide 50 mg orally once daily or a placebo for 24 weeks, followed by 24 weeks of follow-up (bicalutamide study). In another study 55 men were randomised between 3.75 mg leuprolide depot intramuscularly at every 28 days for 24 weeks or placebo injections (leuprolide study). In both studies blood sampling was performed at baseline, at week 12 at week 24 and 24 weeks after the end of therapy. Androgen suppression with bicalutamide 50 mg daily for 24 weeks resulted in a median of 56% reduction of PSA (P<0.001 when compared to placebo). Acid phosphatase and PAP did not change. Leuprolide resulted in a median of 87% reduction of serum PSA (P<0.001) and a 39% reduction of PAP (P=0.023), whereas ACP was unchanged. Both bicalutamide and leuprolide induced a pronounced decline in serum PSA in BPH patients. The studies suggest a stronger androgen suppressive effect of leuprolide than of bicalutamide, but this difference might largely be due to too low a dosage of bicalutamide. ACP and PAP were relatively insensitive to androgen suppression. Our study suggests a different degree of androgen suppression on PSA originating from benign tissue versus cancer tissue, and that the direction of this discrepancy might be different for various androgen suppressive regimens.Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases (2001) 4, 173-177.

Journal Article↗

Acid phosphatase in prostatic tissue homogenates from patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostatic carcinoma.

Acid phosphatase activity biochemically in the primary tumor of 20 patients with prostatic carcinoma, was studied in an attempt to understand the basis for a correlation or lack of correlation between serum and/or bone marrow acid phosphatase levels and the presence and/or clinical behavior of prostatic carcinoma. The enzyme activity was similarly measured in 19 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia as controls. On the average, enzyme activities were lower (P less than 0.002) in the tissues from patients with carcinoma. There was no correlation of enzyme activity in tumor with the age of the patient, stage of disease, degree of differentiation of the tumor, or serum acid phosphatase activity.

Acid Phosphatase↗

Correlation between bone scans and serum levels of osteocalcin, prostate-specific antigen, and prostatic acid phosphatase in monitoring patients with disseminated cancer of the prostate.

Response of prostatic cancer bone metastases to therapy (androgen withdrawal and Estracyt) was studied in 43 patients by applying scintiscanning and radioimmunodetective measurement of serum osteocalcin (OC) values. The prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP) concentrations, as sensitive probes for the overall tumor spread, were used in parallel in a monitoring procedure. A significant rise in OC levels to values elevated from a pretreatment normal level has been found in patients with a partial osseous tumor remission, and this may be easily distinguished from normal and/or subnormal OC level in bony tumor progression (P less than 0.01) and during stabilization in metastatic spread (P less than 0.01). On these bases, differences between disease progression and the "no change" response category could not be statistically recognized (P greater than 0.05). A sharp increase in circulating OC level has been recorded 1 months after the beginning of the treatment leading to bone remodeling processes and precedes improvements in scintiscan appearance. Blood OC concentration seems also to be of utility 1) in distinguishing scintigraphic flare phenomenon from a slight bone scan progression and 2) when related to scans with regions of both disease improvement and worsening. Furthermore, serum OC concentration can frequently be measured through a noninvasive procedure, thus serving as a significant addition to bone scintigraphy.

Acid Phosphatase↗