PATHOLOGY

Carcinoma Cells in Bone Marrow. ~I. O. SKELTON (J. clin. Path., January, 1959) has attempted to assess the probability of particular tumours metastasizing to those sites from which bone marrow biopsies are commonly taken. In a series of 225 cases of fatal malignant disease, excluding primary tumours of bloodforming organs, the sternum was examined at necropsy for the presence of malignant cells. In 127 cases of the series this was supplemented by examination of the iliac crest marrow. Metastases were found in one or other or both sites in 20% of the cases. In only two cases were metastases found in the iliac crest but not in the sternum. Sixty-nine cases of carcinoma of the lung were included in the series, and in 34% sternal marrow metastases were demonstrated. With oat-cell carcinoma of the lung 54% were found to have metastasized to the sternum. Indirect evidence is adduced suggesting that extensive sternal metastases may be present in cases of carcinoma of the lung after a relatively short clinical illness. It is suggested that sternal marrow biopsy may have a place as a diagnostic and as a screening procedure in this condition. The tendency of carcinoma of the stomach to metastasize to the skeleton is further confirmed.