Serologic Evidence in Early Detection of Bone Metastasis in Patients with Prostate Cancer

Chinese patients with prostate cancer have high proportion in the initial diagnosis of bone metastases, so early diagnosis has vital value for the treatment options and prognosis. Bone scan plays an important role in early diagnosis of prostate cancer, while with demerits, such as radioactivity, low specifi city and high cost. Better screening tools are needed. Serologic evidences, such as prostate specifi c antigen (PSA), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b (TRACP5b), carboxy-terminal pyridinoline cross-linked telopeptide parts of type-I collagen (1CPT), etc, have been found useful in detecting bone metastasis. This review summarizes serologic evidence in early detection of bone metastasis in patients with prostate cancer.