The staging of M+ disease.

Patients with newly diagnosed prostatic cancer should be investigated with regard to the presence or absence of distant metastases by: (1) Clinical history especially of weight loss, recent pain, or analgesics intake. (2) Physical examination, looking especially for hepatic enlargement, peripheral lymph nodes, local bone tenderness. (3) Performance status. (4) Hemoglobin, creatinine, PSA and/or PAP, alkaline phosphatases, liver tests, testosterone. (5) Bone scan with X-ray of doubtful hot spots. (6) Chest X-ray. (7) Ultrasound scans (liver, kidney, lymph nodes) or CT scan may be indicated if abnormal blood parameters or in specific situations. (8) Other investigations are only indicated in special circumstances. Follow-up should include: (1), (2), (3), (4) every 3 months. For patients in clinical trials, depending on the end point, bone scan should be repeated every 6 months or possibly depending on the prognostic group (good: every 12 months; bad: 3 to 6 months). For routine clinical management, it could be repeated only when markers (PAP, PSA, alkaline phosphatase) show significant (25-50%) increase and provided the result will influence treatment. Other investigations should only be repeated or performed if abnormal at the start of if clinical data require them.