Which prostate cancer patients need to receive an isotope bone scan?

Bone scans are recommended for all patients diagnosed with prostate cancer.

In general, patients with prostate specific antigen (PSA) less than 20 ng/ml are less likely to develop bone metastases, but in recent years it has been found that some patients with lower PSA can develop bone metastases. If bone metastases are found to be present, radical prostate cancer surgery may have to be abandoned in favor of other appropriate treatment options to reduce the patient’s suffering.

Thus, bone scans are recommended for all patients diagnosed with prostate cancer, especially those who are planning to undergo radical prostate cancer resection.