The role of the vertebral veins in the dissemination of prostate carcinoma

: A total of 75 prostate cancer and 67 lung cancer patients with positive bone scintigrams were studied. The patterns of spread of tumors to various bones were different between the 2 groups. The differences in the distribution of bony metastases between the prostate and lung are explained by the role of Batson's vertebral venous plexus.