Cancer costs and gender: a snapshot of issues, trends, and opportunities to reduce inequities using Australia as an example.

As the cancer burden increases, so too does the cost, to health systems, economies, and individuals. There is increasing interest in productivity and out-of-pocket costs for individuals and their carers, but these remain poorly understood. The costs of cancer in women, often carers themselves, are less understood. This summary analysis explored data on the cancer burden in Australia (and health costs in comparable countries), including expenditure reports and literature on macroeconomic outcomes and out-of-pocket costs, to highlight the cost impacts of a cancer diagnosis in women, at a societal and an individual level. Data on productivity costs were skewed toward men, as men are over-represented in paid work compared with women. Data on societal and individual costs of cancer in women were scant, yet the predominance of women in unpaid work suggests the cost is significant. Evidence for the benefits of cancer prevention and early detection suggests that improved targeting of interventions to women would reduce costs at a societal and an individual level. More research is needed on the specific impacts of cancer on women and those they care for, to better target public health and support services to need.

Evaluation of the contribution of the dynamic phase of lymphoscintigraphy to the detection of sentinel lymph node in breast cancer.

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the contribution of an early dynamic phase (DP) of the lymphoscintigraphy (LS) to the detection of the sentinel lymph node (SLN) in breast cancer. Methods: This prospective study included 164 breast lesions in 161 consecutive patients (160 women, mean age 57.5 years). Patients with tumor >5 cm, multicentric, palpable nodes, axillary involvement, previous surgery, lymphadenectomy, radio or chemotherapy were not included. All patients underwent preoperative LS before surgery. DP immediately after injection of [99mTc]Nanocolloid followed by early and delayed planar images (EPI and DPI) were acquired. Results: SLN was detected in 162/164 lesions (98.8%). In 115 (71%) DP showed no lymph node uptake and the SLN was identified only by EPI and DPI. A focal uptake by at least one lymph node was observed in DP in the remaining 47 lesions (29%). Although in 30/74 lesions DP did not provide additional information to EPI and DPI, nevertheless in 17 cases (10.5%) DP was essential to identify correctly the SLN. Conclusion: We concluded that DP, by allowing a better interpretation of the lymphatic drainage pattern, provides unique information to distinguish the correct SLN from other lymph nodes and is recommended as the first part of LS.

Converting apogeotropic into geotropic lateral canalolithiasis by head-pitching manoeuvre in the sitting position.

Liberatory treatment of lateral canalolithiasis is more effective for the geotropic, than for the apogeotropic forms and, therefore, it is worthwhile attempting to convert the apogeotropic forms into the geotropic forms. In 36 cases of apogeotropic lateral canalolithiasis, one to five Head-Pitch Manoeuvres were performed in the sitting position (Head-Pitch Test) in the attempt to transform apogeotropic into geotropic lateral canalolithiasis. The Head Pitch Test was performed by a quick 60 degrees forward-flexion and a slow maximal backward-extension of the head. The Head-Pitch Test was effective in 36.1% of cases, less than the repeated Head-Rolling in the supine position, but it was always well tolerated by patients. The quick 60 degrees forward-flexion of the head can evoke a horizontal nystagmus beating towards the healthy side in apogeotropic lateral canalolithiasis and towards the affected side in geotropic lateral canalolithiasis (Bow Nystagmus). Slow backward-extension of the head can evoke a horizontal nystagmus beating towards the affected side in apogeotropic lateral canalolithiasis and toward the healthy side in geotropic lateral canalolithiasis (Lean Nystagmus). Conversion from apogeotropic to geotropic lateral canalolithiasis by the Head-Pitch Test was effective when Bow and Lean Nystagmus changed directions or when the Head-Pitch Test evoked Bow Nystagmus toward the affected side and Lean Nystagmus toward the healthy side. Conversion occurred in 10 patients during the 60 degrees forward-flexion of the head. In contrast, in 3 patients, it occurred during extension of the head, when a "Lean Nystagmus" toward the healthy side appeared. In addition, Pseudospontaneous Nystagmus and Positioning Nystagmus that arose when the patient moved from the sitting to the supine position changed direction or were evoked ex-novo, both directed toward the healthy side. In all cases, Pagnini-McClure diagnostic manoeuvre confirmed the transformation with a Positional Paroxysmal Horizontal Geotropic Nystagmus, which was more intense when the affected ear was brought down. The Head-Pitch Test can be used as the method of choice to transform apogeotropic into geotropic lateral canalolithiasis. However, anterior flexion of the head in the geotropic forms must be avoided since involuntary and harmful transformations from the geotropic into the apogeotropic form can occur, moving otoliths towards the anterior arm and cupula.

Esophageal cancer in Uruguay: a case-control study.

Esophageal cancer has constituted a major public health problem in Uruguay, with age-adjusted death rates of 14.5 X 10(5) for males and of 3.8 X 10(5) for females. A case-control study was undertaken to ascertain the possible association of the local custom of drinking infusions of Ilex paraguariensis ("maté") with cancer of the esophagus, after controlling for well-known risk factors, such as alcohol and tobacco consumption. Two hundred twenty-six patients with esophageal cancer and 469 controls (control:case = 2.1) were interviewed at the time of admission or consultation at the Oncology Institute of Montevideo from 1979 through 1984. Males showed elevated risks of esophageal cancer associated with heavy tobacco [relative risk (RR) = 10.8] and alcohol (RR = 10.3) exposures. Among females, the independent effects of tobacco and alcohol were nonsignificant. Maté consumption had an independent effect in both males and females, with odds ratios of 6.5 and 34.6, respectively, for heavy users. Moreover, a well-defined dose response was evident in both sexes.

Correction: Identification of the key structural elements of a dihydropyrimidinone core driving toward more potent Hsp90 C-terminal inhibitors.

Correction for 'Identification of the key structural elements of a dihydropyrimidinone core driving toward more potent Hsp90 C-terminal inhibitors' by S. Teracciano et al., Chem. Commun., 2016, 52, 12857-12860.

Identification of the key structural elements of a dihydropyrimidinone core driving toward more potent Hsp90 C-terminal inhibitors.

Hsp90 C-terminal modulation represents an attractive strategy for the development of potent and safer antitumor compounds. Continuing our investigation on DHPM type inhibitors here we report a new set of potent C-terminal ligands which allowed us to identify the key structural features crucial for the biological activity.

Submandibular gland myoepithelioma.

Benign myoepithelioma is a very rare form of salivary gland tumor, composed entirely of myoepithelial cells. It accounts for approximately 1% of all salivary gland tumors and is most frequently located in the parotid gland and in the minor salivary glands of the hard palate. We describe herein the ninth reported case of myoepithelioma of the submandibular gland. Benign myoepithelioma must be differentiated from several benign and malignant epithelial and mesenchymal tumors. Immunohistochemical staining can help differentiate between these conditions, but histopathology remains the gold standard for diagnosing this neoplastic process.

Quantitative analysis of fetal DNA in maternal plasma in pathological conditions associated with placental abnormalities.

An increased fetal DNA concentration in maternal plasma has been observed in placental pathological conditions associated with hypertension and preeclampsia. To confirm these data, we performed real-time quantitative PCR on the SRY gene in a group of physiological and pathological male-bearing pregnancies. In 78 physiological pregnancies, fetal DNA concentration in maternal plasma was 20.7, 13.4, 23.6, and 74.8 genome-equivalents (g.e.)/mL during the first, second, and third trimesters and at term, respectively. In 10 preeclamptic women, fetal DNA concentration ranged from 59.3 to 615.2 g.e./mL (median: 332.9). In 7 women with preeclampsia and IUGR (intrauterine growth retardation), fetal DNA ranged from 96.5 to 859 g.e./mL (median: 146.8). In 4 women with IUGR and hypertension, fetal DNA ranged from 34 to 473.5 g.e./mL (median: 142.4). In 3 patients with IUGR, fetal DNA ranged from 168.6 to 519.7 g.e./mL (median: 308.1). In 2 patients with IUGR and HELLP (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count) syndrome, fetal DNA concentration ranged from 105 to 394.1 g.e./mL (median: 249.7). Four women who developed preeclampsia some weeks later showed fetal DNA levels within the physiological range. These data suggest that increased fetal DNA concentrations might represent a valuable marker of placental abnormalities and suggest that this rise may precede clinical manifestation of preeclampsia by only a few weeks.

Bolus infusion of famotidine: effects on gastric pH by repeated 12-hour doses of 20 mg in postoperative patients.

This study was carried out to assess the efficacy of intravenous (IV) famotidine in suppressing gastric secretion over a 48-hour period. Twenty postoperative patients requiring a nasogastric tube received famotidine 20 mg IV every 12 hours and gastric pH was measured continuously by means of an indwelling probe. A baseline recording was performed over the first 4 hours and then the drug was infused every 12 hours (q12h) over a 15-minute period for the subsequent 48 hours. The mean pH value achieved during each time segment under active treatment was significantly higher (P < .001) than the mean basal value. Also the density distributions of minutes spent at the various pH units confirm that famotidine is highly effective (P < .001) in raising and maintaining gastric pH above 4.0 units during most of the drug-related period (44 hours). It can be concluded that repeated intravenous boli of famotidine 20 mg every 12 hours allow us to obtain an effective control of intragastric acidity. The antisecretory action is consistent over the total 48-hour period examined and therefore the use of intermittent infusion of famotidine seems to be advisable, as opposed to the recommended continuous IV administration of cimetidine and ranitidine. There is, however, a considerable intersubject variability in the antisecretory response to the drug.

Low physical activity and worsening of glucose tolerance: results from a 2-year follow-up of a population sample in Malta.

The relationship between the level of habitual physical activity and glucose intolerance was examined cross-sectionally and during a 2-year follow-up among a sample of 388 subjects in Malta. At baseline, the subjects were classified into three categories of physical activity, which was inversely related to the 2-h post challenge blood glucose (P = 0.02). In a multivariate analysis, age (standardized regression coefficient 0.23; P less than 0.001), family history of diabetes (0.20; P less than 0.001), and physical activity (-0.18; P = 0.002) were the strongest predictors of the 2-h blood glucose at baseline. The age standardized 2-year risk of glucose intolerance, i.e. impaired glucose tolerance or diabetes was consistently and inversely related to the level of physical activity. Among subjects with normal glucose tolerance at baseline (n = 127) those with low physical activity had a 2.7 times higher risk of glucose intolerance during follow-up than those with high physical activity (P = 0.1), and even a 3.7-fold risk of glucose intolerance at baseline (n = 196) when both the subjects with normal and impaired glucose tolerance at baseline were considered together (P = 0.005). Similar trends were observed for the risk of diabetes. The suggested protective effect of physical activity was independent of body mass, a family history of diabetes and gender. Within the limits of this small study we conclude that physical activity may have some importance in the primary prevention of impaired glucose tolerance and, possibly, non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

[Infectious complications of diagnostic hysteroscopy]. / Complicanze infettive dopo isteroscopia diagnostica.

AIM: To evaluate whether diagnostic hysteroscopy may cause pelvic inflammatory disease; to evaluate whether there is a group of patients with a high risk of developing pelvic inflammatory disease. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: A prospective study of 300 non-consecutive hysteroscopies with a follow-up 20 days after the test. SETTING: The study was performed at Sanremo Hospital (Regione Liguria, USL 1 Imperiese, Sanremo Hospital Board) through the Hysteroscopy Clinic of the Gynecology Division (Head: Dott. G. Armentano) and Microbiology Service of the Test Laboratory. PATIENTS: A total of 300 non-consecutive patients undergoing hysteroscopy for any indication were enrolled during 1992 of whom 253 completed the study. The main criteria used for selection were the possibility of performing an atraumatic hysteroscopy and immediately prior to this a cervical smear for the direct and/or cultured assay of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, fungi, microplasms, Chlamydia, protozoa. METHOD: Hysteroscopy was performed in all cases without cervical dilatation, following the disinfection of the cervix using povidone-iodine 10%, using a hysteroscope with a diameter of 5 mm (Microhysteroscope Hamou I-Storz); CO2 was used as the means of distending the uterine cavity and was supplied by an electronically controlled insufflator (Hysteroinsufflator acc. Hamou-Storz). RESULTS: Germs were identified in the cervical canal in 35 out of 253 women an the incidence of positivity decreased with age. A positive correlation was also found with the type of indication for hysteroscopy. Pelvic inflammatory disease developed in 2 cases out of 253 (0.79%) and both cases belonged to the group with germs in the cervical canal; in both cases the etiological agent was Chlamydia trachomatis. No case of pelvic inflammatory disease was observed in the group of patients without germs in the cervical canal. CONCLUSIONS: Patients under the age of 35, with hysteroscopic indications relating to sterility and painful pelvic syndrome, must be regarded as being at higher risk of developing posthysteriscopic pelvic inflammatory disease.

[Benzidamine in the topical treatment of vaginitis caused by Gardnerella vaginalis]. / La benzidamina nel trattamento topico della vaginite da Gardnerella vaginalis.

The present clinical trial has been carried out in order to evaluate the efficacy of benzydamine in treatment of vaginitis caused by Gardnerella vaginalis. Fifty women affected by this specific pathology have been submitted to topical treatment with 0.5% benzydamine vaginal cream. The treatment has been carried out for 9 consecutive days using a local application of benzydamine twice a day. The clinical result was evaluated after 12 and 60 days. The following parameters were taken into consideration: symptoms (leucorrhea, itching, burning), clinical signs (oedema, hyperemia, vaginal secretion), instrumental data (pH, colposcopy, sniff test) and microbiological findings (searching of clue cells, Lactobacillus and Gardnerella vaginalis). At the first check point after 12 days 84% of patients have been considered healed; at the second check the percentage of healing rose to 92%. Therefore benzydamine was considered highly effective in 92% of vaginitis caused by Gardnerella vaginalis.

Trends in mortality from major non-communicable diseases in the middle-aged population of Malta.

Trends in life expectancy and mortality from major non-communicable diseases in Malta were analyzed from the national vital statistics available. Most of the increased life expectancy during the 20th century in Malta took place between 1930 and 1960 and since then only a minor increase was observed. The peak in age standardized total mortality in men and women aged 40-69 years was during 1974-76. Total mortality in men was about 40% higher than that of women. The proportion of deaths from major non-communicable diseases (cardiovascular diseases, cancer and diabetes) of all deaths increased during 1968-82. In 1983-84 in the age group 45-64 cardiovascular diseases accounted for 54% of deaths in men and 43% in women, cancer 27% and 34%, and diabetes 3% and 11% in men and women, respectively. The international comparison of mortality data showed that mortality from both cardiovascular diseases, cancer and diabetes was clearly higher than in other European Mediterranean countries ranking among the highest in the whole Europe. Public health intervention programmes have initiated in Malta to reduce these high death rates in the future.

Direction-fixed paroxysmal nystagmus lateral canal benign paroxysmal positioning vertigo (BPPV): another form of lateral canalolithiasis.

Benign paroxysmal positioning vertigo (BPPV) is the most frequent vertiginous syndrome. It is caused either by free-floating otoliths in the semicircular canals (canalolithiasis) or by otoconial debris adhering to a canal cupula (cupulolithiasis). The posterior canal is the most frequently involved (80%), while the lateral canal is involved less frequently (15%), and the rarest conditions are anterior canalolithiasis and apogeotropic posterior canalolithiasis (5%). The main diagnostic sign of lateral canal BPPV is paroxysmal horizontal bidirectional positioning nystagmus evoked through Pagnini-McClure's test (head roll in the yaw plane in supine position). In the geotropic variant, which is more frequent, the fast phase of the nystagmus is directed towards the lowermost ear, when the patient lies on the affected side or on the healthy side; in the apogeotropic variant, which is less frequent, the fast phase is directed always toward the uppermost ear, regardless of which side the patient lies on. Paroxysmal nystagmus is more intense on the affected side in the geotropic form, and more intense on the healthy side in the apogeotropic form. The authors describe five cases of another primitive and rare form of lateral BPPV, defined as "direction-fixed paroxysmal nystagmus lateral canal BPPV", which has previously been described by other authors as a transitory step observed during the transformation from an apogeotropic into a geotropic form. It is characterized by typical BPPV symptoms and diagnosed by the presence of a paroxysmal horizontal unidirectional positioning nystagmus, evoked through Pagnini-McClure's test, which is apogeotropic on the affected side and geotropic on the healthy side. In the reported cases, direction-fixed horizontal paroxysmal nystagmus was always transformed into a typical geotropic form. The clinical features and pathophysiology of direction-fixed nystagmus lateral canal BPPV are discussed.

Evaluation of the contribution of the dynamic phase of lymphoscintigraphy to the detection of sentinel lymph node in breast cancer.

AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the contribution of an early dynamic phase (DP) of the lymphoscintigraphy (LS) to the detection of the sentinel lymph node (SLN) in breast cancer. METHODS: This prospective study included 164 breast lesions in 161 consecutive patients (160 women, mean age 57.5 years). Patients with tumor >5 cm, multicentric, palpable nodes, axillary involvement, previous surgery, lymphadenectomy, radio or chemotherapy were not included. All patients underwent preoperative LS before surgery. DP immediately after injection of [99mTc]Nanocolloid followed by early and delayed planar images (EPI and DPI) were acquired. RESULTS: SLN was detected in 162/164 lesions (98.8%). In 115 (71%) DP showed no lymph node uptake and the SLN was identified only by EPI and DPI. A focal uptake by at least one lymph node was observed in DP in the remaining 47 lesions (29%). Although in 30/74 lesions DP did not provide additional information to EPI and DPI, nevertheless in 17 cases (10.5%) DP was essential to identify correctly the SLN. CONCLUSION: We concluded that DP, by allowing a better interpretation of the lymphatic drainage pattern, provides unique information to distinguish the correct SLN from other lymph nodes and is recommended as the first part of LS.

Comparison of early (60 min) and delayed (180 min) acquisition of 18F-FDG PET/CT in large vessel vasculitis.

PURPOSE: To compare the contribution of the (18)F-FDG-PET/CT acquisition at 180 min and at 60 min in suspicion of large vessel vasculitis (LVV). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective study including 23 patients was performed. PET/CT was acquired at 60 and 180 min (early and delayed scan) after (18)F-FDG injection. A visual analysis was performed at the supra-aortic trunks (SAT), thoracic aorta (TA), abdominal aorta (AA), iliac arteries (IA) and femoral/tibioperoneal arteries (FTA). Intensity (0-3) and uptake pattern (diffuse/linear) were assessed in the 115 vascular regions. RESULTS: There was no FDG uptake in the early and delayed acquisition in 20/115 vascular regions (17.4%). Of the 95 regions (82.6%) showing FDG uptake at the early, delayed or both acquisitions, intensity did not change in the delayed acquisition in 46 and changed in 49. Of the 49 regions in which the intensity changed, it decreased in 36 and increased in 13 (TA:8, SAT:5). AA, IA and FTA intensity did not increase in any of the cases. Uptake pattern at the TA in the early acquisition was diffuse in 16 patients. In 7, it changed to linear and in 9 the uptake disappeared. The early pattern was linear in 7 patients and 6 of them showed increased intensity in the delayed acquisition and in 1 remained the same. CONCLUSION: The 180 min delayed FDG-PET/CT acquisition provides a more detailed visualized of the vessel wall, showing the washout of the blood pool activity. Therefore, it may contribute to a more accurate diagnosis of LVV.

Contribution of 18F-sodium fluoride PET/CT to the study of the carotid atheroma calcification.

AIM: To assess the calcification process of the carotid plaque by (18)F-sodium fluoride PET/CT imaging. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospectively designed study including 15 patients in whom an atheroma plaque was detected by contrast enhanced CT scan during a neurological work-up was performed. A total of 29 plaques, 19 asymptomatic and 10 symptomatic, were studied. An (18)F-sodium fluoride PET/CT scan was acquired 180min after the i.v. injection of 370 MBq of (18)F-sodium fluoride in all the patients. The images obtained were analyzed visually according to the intensity of the uptake. RESULTS: All the plaques showed (18)F-sodium fluoride uptake, regardless of the intensity. However, the plaques of the symptomatic group showed a level of 2 or greater intensity while the intensity in 6 of the 19 in the asymptomatic group was lower than 2. CONCLUSIONS: Although the study is limited by the small number of cases, the results show the feasibility of the technique to study the calcification of the atheroma using (18)F-sodium fluoride and suggest an association between symptomatology and higher uptake of (18)F-sodium fluoride. Thus, these results encourage us to continue this study, with the inclusion of a larger number of patients.

Histochemical and morphometric analyses of the musculature of the forelimb of the subterranean rodent Ctenomys talarum (Octodontoidea).

Histochemical and morphometric analyses were performed to characterize the fibre-type composition of two forelimb muscles of the South American subterranean rodent Ctenomys talarum. The studied muscles were the triceps lateralis, an extensor of the elbow, and the teres major, a flexor of the shoulder. It was found that these muscles had an elevated proportion of fast oxidative-glycolytic (FOG) fibres, and lower proportions of slow oxidative (SO) and fast glycolytic (FG) fibres. This composition probably qualifies the teres major and triceps muscles to perform the sustained effort required in tunnelling excavation. The results were discussed considering published data on fibre-type composition of mammals having different modes of life and digging behaviour. We here suggest that C. talarum has the potential of generating forces linked to rapid, powerful movements during sustained periods by means of an elevated proportion of FOG fibres, together with osteological changes that result in a great mechanical advantage of the forelimb muscles.

Hyperventilation-induced nystagmus in a large series of vestibular patients.

The Hyperventilation Test is widely used in the "bed-side examination" of vestibular patients. It can either activate a latent nystagmus in central or peripheral vestibular diseases or it can interact with a spontaneous nystagmus, by reducing it or increasing it. Aims of this study were to determine the incidence, patterns and temporal characteristics of Hyperventilation-induced nystagmus in patients suffering from vestibular diseases, as well as its contribution to the differential diagnosis between vestibular neuritis and neuroma of the 8(th) cranial nerve, and its behaviour in some central vestibular diseases. The present study includes 1202 patients featuring, at vestibular examination, at least one sign of vestibular system disorders or patients diagnosed with a "Migraine-related vertigo" or "Chronic subjective dizziness". The overall incidence of Hyperventilation-induced nystagmus was 21.9%. It was detected more frequently in retrocochlear vestibular diseases rather than in end-organ vestibular diseases: 5.3% in Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo, 37.1% in Menière's disease, 37.6% in compensated vestibular neuritis, 77.2% in acute vestibular neuritis and 91.7% in neuroma of the 8(th) cranial nerve. In acute vestibular neuritis, three HVIN patterns were observed: Paretic pattern: temporary enhancement of the spontaneous nystagmus; Excitatory pattern: temporary inhibition of the spontaneous nystagmus; Strong excitatory pattern: temporary inversion of the spontaneous nystagmus. Excitatory patterns proved to be time-dependent in that they disappeared and were replaced by the paretic pattern over a period of maximum 18 days since the beginning of the disorder. In acoustic neuroma, Hyperventilation-induced nystagmus was frequently observed (91.7%), either in the form of an excitatory pattern (fast phases towards the affected site) or in the form of a paretic pattern (fast phases towards the healthy side). The direction of the nystagmus is only partially related to tumour size, whereas other mechanisms, such as demyelination or a break in nerve fibres, might have an important role in triggering the situation. Hyperventilation-induced nystagmus has frequently been detected in cases of demyelinating diseases and in cerebellar diseases: in multiple sclerosis, hyperventilation inhibits a central type of spontaneous nystagmus or evokes nystagmus in 75% of patients; in cerebellar diseases, hyperventilation evokes or enhances a central spontaneous nystagmus in 72.7% of patients. In conclusion the Hyperventilation Test can provide patterns of oculomotor responses that indicate a diagnostic investigation through cerebral magnetic resonance imaging enhanced by gadolinium, upon suspicion of neuroma of the 8(th) cranial nerve or of a central disease. In our opinion, however, Hyperventilation-induced nystagmus always needs to be viewed within the more general context of a complete examination of the vestibular and acoustic system.

[Evaluation of bone scintigraphy and (18)F-FDG PET/CT in bone metastases of lung cancer patients]. / Evaluación de la gammagrafía ósea y la (18)F-FDG PET/TAC en las metástasis óseas del cáncer de pulmón.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the bone scintigraphy (BS) findings and PET/CT scintigraphy with FDG (FDG PET/CT) in the detection of bone metastases in lung cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We studied 32 patients with lung cancer who underwent FDG PET/CT and BS in a period of 15.9±18.6 days. The results of both techniques were compared with the histology, where available, radiological structural techniques and the clinical follow-up. In 30 patients, a definitive diagnosis was reached with the scintigraphic findings. No final diagnosis was obtained in 2 patients. RESULTS: BS was positive in 25/30 patients (83.3%) and negative in 5 patients. FDG PET/CT was positive in 21/30 patients (70%) and negative in 9. The BS and the FDG PET/CT were positive in 19/30 patients (63.3%) for the detection of bone metastases. In 6/19, both techniques showed the same number of bone lesions. In 10/19, FDG PET/CT showed a greater number of bone metastases than BS. In 3/19 patients, BS showed more lesions than FDG PET/CT and in 2/30 patients (6.6%), the BS was normal and the FDG PET/CT showed bone lesions which were confirmed as metastasis. In 6/30 patients (20%), the FDG PET/CT was negative and the BS was positive. BS and FDG PET/CT scan were normal in 3/30 patients (10%). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with lung cancer, FDG PET/CT scan detected more metastatic bone lesions than BS. It also identified bone metastasis in negative BS. In our experience, when the BS was positive and the FDG PET/CT scan was negative, the lesions observed were mostly related with degenerative bone conditions and bone fractures. In the clinical practice, the FDG PET/CT and BS have a complementary role for the assessment of bone status in lung cancer patients.