Diagnostic methods for detection of bone metastases

Introduction

An important property of malignant tumours is that their development is not only limited to the place from which they origin, the primary tumour, but they also have the ability to detach themselves and move to other parts of the body, where they can develop as a separate tumour. This process is called the formation of metastases [1]. Just as in primary tumours, metastases develop at the expense of local tissues, and in the case of bones they bring about pathologic fractures that cause serious complications in orthopaedic and cancer treatment.
The skeleton is the third (after the liver and lungs) most common organ to be affected by metastatic cancer [2]. A significant number of patients suffering from this disease (600 thousand new cases per year in the USA) is a challenge for modern healthcare systems [3]. Due to advances in cancer treatment, survival of patients with bone metastases increases as well. This, in turn, challenges orthopaedic oncology, which aims to provide the patient with the highest level of physical mobility while eliminating the pain associated with the development of metastatic outbreaks.
As many as 65% of all bone metastases originate from the breast in women, and from the prostate in men. The remaining 35% arise from kidney, thyroid, and lung cancers [4]. Table 1 presents the estimated number of new cases of cancer and bone metastases on a worldwide scale.

Pathophysiology of bone metastases

In response to mechanical stress, bone normally undergoes continual remodelling. This process is based on a balanced, parallel interaction of osteoblasts and osteoclasts. The essence of this phenomenon is repetitive, with consequent reconstruction of bone matrix [8]. Bone metastasis begins when primary tumour cells detach from their place of origin, reach new bone through the blood vessels, and develop their own vasculature in a new localisation [9]. The presence of numerous growth factors, cytokines, immune cells engaged in the bone remodelling process, and the hematopoietic process within the bone make it a suitable microenvironment for the development of metastases. As a consequence of tumour cell colonisation in the bone matrix, the normal homeostasis of the bone is disrupted and the intensification of osteolytic or osteoblastic activities is reported.

Clinical symptomatology

The main complaint reported by a patient to a doctor is pain. If the location of a metastasis is a long bone (most commonly the proximal part of the humorous or femur) the pain is local and the patient is able to determine its scope precisely. Most commonly, pain is worse at night, unlike in osteoarthritis where pain is worse during the day and is associated with weight bearing. In the pathogenesis of pain, of crucial importance is the growth of intraosseous pressure caused by the growing tumour. When the metastasis is inserted in the pelvis or spine area, its symptomatology is more difficult because it bears a resemblance to other diseases that can be located in these places.

Imaging methods in the diagnosis of metastases

Classic X-ray (radiography) performed in 2 orthogonal projections is most often the first test performed in the early diagnosis of metastases. On the basis of X-ray one can not only obtain information on the size and location of the bone tumour, but also assess the risk of pathological fracture. X-ray allows us to determine whether the tumour is osteolytic, osteoblastic, mixed, or if there is a change due to tumour-like change similar to Paget’s disease or brown tumour. Due to its accessibility and popularity, the X-ray examination is quick and cheap, giving it a crucial advantage. In each case, the metastatic tumour diagnosis should strive to clarify the nature of the change with the use of further imaging methods (MRI, CT) [10].
Bone scintigraphy (BS) is a method of imaging with the highest sensitivity (95%) regarding metastases, and it is the basis of screening [11–13]. It allows the depiction of the entire skeleton in one medical examination. The scan shows intensive radionuclide activity, which in turn detects areas of bone abnormalities. The causes of bone turnovers can be different than of metastatic origin (leukaemia, healing fracture, etc.), and for this reason the low specificity of scintigraphy remains its biggest drawback.
Computed tomography (CT) is a complementary imaging technique used to diagnose bone metastases. It is recommended particularly in dealing with discrepancies between the outcomes of X-ray (negative) and scintigraphy (positive). It allows us to establish the range of destruction of the cortical bone and the presence of periosteal reactions [14]. Obtained CT scans give the ability to determine the spatial structure and volume of metastasis. This is important in preoperative planning because it allows the appropriate selection of an orthopaedic implant [15].
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the most sophisticated method for imaging bone tumors. This technique is based on the detection of the proton content in the cells. Cancer cells contain more water molecules than healthy bone marrow or cortical bone. Diagnostic images determine not only the degree and type of the damage to the bone but also give the opportunity to assess the soft tissues adjacent to tumour [16, 17]. During whole body MRI examination there is greater chance of diagnosing metastases, than with the use of scintigraphy. Nevertheless, this method is far less available due to equipment limitations.
Positron emission tomography (PET) is a modern and recognized method of detecting cancer cells. The use of a marker 18F-FDG is an effective way of indicating cells with the increased absorption of glucose, such as metastases. By combining PET and CT, high-resolution images can be obtained [18, 19]. Their diagnostic value is comparable to that obtained with the use of MRI whole-body mode [20–22].

Biopsies

To take a sample of the tumour for histopathological examination the following should be performed: fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB), core-needle biopsy (CNB), or open biopsy (OB), which is a surgical treatment. Each of these three techniques is an established and widely used method of diagnosing neoplastic lesions of human bone. Each of them has its advantages and limitations. The decision about the type of biopsy performed depends on the topographic location of the tumour and the experience of the person performing the test. A biopsy should be planned on the basis of physical examination and diagnostic images (X-ray, Scintigraphy, CT, MRI, PET) in such a way that the final operative treatment could be carried out from the same operative approach as for biopsy (with the principle of opening one anatomical compartment) [23].
Fine-needle aspiration biopsy is an invasive yet safe and non-traumatic technique of excising biological material. It is the simplest and the cheapest diagnostic method, which is widely used mainly for diagnosing osteolytic metastases, mixed osteoblastic/osteolytic, and multiple metastases (samples taken from many areas). It is performed by percutaneous puncture of a tumour with a G20–G27 or smaller needle. An important limitation of this method is the significant percentage of outcomes that are falsely negative – about 20–30% [24].
Core-needle biopsy gives the opportunity to excise biological material (tissue block) and to maintain the architecture of the tissue. It allows histopathological, immunohistochemical, structural, and molecular analysis. It is an invasive method with a much better responsiveness than FNAB, performed with the use of a stylet needle, sized 10–14 G. Core-needle biopsy can provide an accurate diagnosis in about 74% of cases [25, 26].
Needle biopsies can be performed under local anesthesia in an outpatient setting. They are viable and do not require patient’s stay.
• Open biopsy is an operative method in which biological material is obtained directly. It is performed in the operating room and is therefore limited to hospital patients only. This method is of the highest sensitivity and is recommended in cases in which needle biopsies were negative and a bone change is visible on imaging studies. OB should be done in orthopaedic oncology wards because it requires compliance with certain rules, such as:
• straight incision carried out centrally on a change in its long axis,
• incision carried out in such a way that it gives the possibility to perform resectable (final) surgery,
• incision made within one anatomical compartment (the principle of one compartment),
• incision distant from the neurovascular bundle,
• post-operative drain within the wound,
• accurate haemostasis [27].
Like any operative procedure, OB may bring about many complications associated primarily with post – operative bleeding, wound healing, local pain or infection.
Liquid biopsies based on genetic analysis of blood-serum and bone morrow for tumour markers. Tumour-specific mutations are used for detection of cancer cells and metastatic tumour cells [28]. Disseminated tumour cells (DTCs) are detected in bone marrow, and circulating tumour cells (CTCs) are detecting in blood serum (Fig. 1). Specific DTCs are currently identify in bone marrow for breast cancer (HER2 gen) [29], prostate cancer (PSA, MAGE-cDNAs) [30], lung (monoclonal antibody CK2 against CK18) [31], colorectal (CK20- cytokeratin 20) [32], and for other epithelial tumours: gastric cancer, oesophageal cancer, head and neck carcinomas [33, 34].
Benefits of liquid biopsies:
• minimally invasive,
• easy to perform,
• repeatable,
• avoids pain for the patient.

Guided biopsies

Guided biopsies are performed under control of musculoskeletal imaging methods (CT, MRI). They are the most promising tools in bone metastasis diagnosis. After the initial imaging of the examined area (usually the spine and pelvis), a needle biopsy is used under local anaesthesia. The location of the needle tip within the tumour is confirmed by the next step of imaging examination. If the needle position is correct, the doctor draws out the material for histopathological examination. This method of biopsy minimises the risk of incorrect cell removal and is recognised as highly accurate. Life imaging guided biopsies give the opportunity to take tissue samples accurately from the growing part of the tumour (tumour-specific cells); they eliminate risk of taking necrotic tumour tissue, thus preventing false diagnoses. Its efficiency (about 78%) increases if a core needle biopsy is used [35].
With the advance of guided biopsies, which are safe and precise, they become widely used in diagnosis and therapy (percutaneous tumour ablation, application of bone cement into the tumour) [36, 37]. Guided biopsies with the use of CT are faster, cheaper, and more accessible diagnostic methods than those used with an MRI technique. Most patients may leave hospital alone on the same day the biopsy is performed.

Hypercalcaemia

Hypercalcaemia is the most common metabolic disorder in the course of cancer (approximately 10–40% of patients). Its development is a result of the following four mechanisms:
• local secondary osteolysis into the bone metastasis,
• the excessive release of parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP),
• excessive production of 1,25-D dihydroxyvitamin,
• ectopic secretion of PTH [38].
The processes described in sections 2, 3, and 4 are associated with humoral activity of the metastatic process, with the main mediator of the PTHrP. Because of the presented mechanisms, there is an increase of calcium ions in serum. This, in turn, leads to clinical symptoms such as weakness, nausea, vomiting, dehydration, polyuria, abnormal heart rhythm (QT prolongation), kidney failure, anorexia, confusion, and coma. Rapidly increasing and sudden hypercalcaemia prove that there is cancer progress, and therefore the prognosis is bad [39].

Summary

The use of modern imaging techniques allows rapid diagnosis of bone metastases. Standard and well-known examinations, such as X-ray examination and bone scintigraphy, are characterised by adequate sensitivity. Thus, they remain important diagnostic tools. In the absence of correlation between clinical status (chronic pain) and radiographic image, the examinations with the highest sensitivity and specificity towards metastatic tumours are computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Scintigraphy, PET, and whole body MRI enable imaging of the entire skeletal system within one examination, which makes them an important tool for bone screening in patients with previously diagnosed organ tumour (Table 2). Hypercalcaemia is a symptom of low specificity for metastatic bone disease; nevertheless, it is a significant complication in oncological treatment and worsens the prognosis of the patient. After ascertaining the presence of a tumour, due to imaging examinations, its histological verification is necessary. Optimisation of histological examination is achieved by using graph-based methods [40]. Virtual slides are checked by several image techniques: texture analysis, selection of ROI (region of interest), and pixel-derived image information [41].
A properly performed biopsy (by an orthopaedist – oncologist) determines further operative treatment. Among the options available, core needle biopsy has high sensitivity, and specificity similar to that of open biopsy. The development of guided biopsy techniques leads to the conclusion that biopsies should always be taken with life imaging (CT, MRI).
Figure 2 presents a diagnostic algorithm for bone metastases that starts from noninvasive LB (CTCs) from blood serum. In the case of a negative result a more invasive LB (DTCs) from bone marrow (from iliac crest) is needed. If both LBs (blood serum and bone marrow) are negative, CT/MRI guided biopsy should be performed. Life imaging biopsies make it possible to take a proper tissue sample. Digital histopathology can be useful in analysis of the tissue sample. The algorithm can be used in clinical practice for cancer patients who have metastatic lesions and for patients that have bone lesion with unknown origin.
Liquid biopsies seem to be the most promising diagnostic method for the detection of bone metastases. Liquid biopsies enables the following: early detection, assessment of molecular heterogeneity of overall disease, monitoring of tumour dynamics, identification of genetic determinants for targeted therapy, evaluation of early treatment response, monitoring of minimal residual disease, and assessment of evaluation of resistance in real time [42]. Furthermore, technologies for isolating sufficient numbers of CTCs in blood-serum and DTCs in bone marrow are needed for every type of tumour. After that, classical invasive biopsies may be replaced by liquid biopsies.

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Address for correspondence

Bartosz Łukaszewski
Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology of Locomotor System
Heliodor Swiecicki Clinical Hospital
at the Poznan University of Medical Sciences
Przybyszewskiego 49
60-101 Poznan, Poland
e-mail: blukaszewski@gmail.com

Submitted: 20.12.2014
Accepted: 30.11.2015