Breast cancer tutor characteristics and metastatic bone scintigraphy findings

Abstract

Objectives: Bone scintigraphy (BS) is the gold standard for screening and initial diagnosis of bone metastases (BMs) in breast cancer (BC). The aim of this study was to analyze the correlation between multiple BMs diagnosed on BS with the tumor characteristics and molecular subtypes of the tumor in BC patients. Materials and Methods: We performed a retrospective, observational study of 66 BC patients (mean age 52.52±10.64 years) with multiple BMs confirmed on the first diagnostic BS, in the period 2013-2018. Data regarding the initial disease stage, tumor histological type, grade and molecular subtype were evaluated for correlation with BMs. Results: Sixteen patients (24%) presented with BMs at the time of BC. The metastasis-free period in the restaging group was 7.38±4.01 years and the same was significantly associated with the disease TNM stage (rs =-0.385; P=0.011). Ductal BC was more frequently associated with BMs than the lobular type (65% vs. 14%, respectively). ER+ were 86% of the cases, followed by PgR+ (74%) and HER2+ (35%) of the cases. A significant correlation was found between the HR+ status of BC patients and the presence of multiple BMs (P=0.021). BMs were mainly detected in the spine (predominantly the thoracic segment), the ribs and the pelvis (P= 0.013). Conclusion: Higher initial TNM stage reduces BMs free interval. HR positive status seems to be a significant predictor of BMs in BC.