What is metastatic bone disease?
Any cancer which has not arisen primarily from the bones but have spread to the bone from other organs of the body (Lung, Liver, Kidney, Breast, Thyroid etc) is called metastatic bone disease.
What are the symptoms of bone metastasis?
Metastatic bone disease usually occurs in patients of age more than 50 years. Pain is the most common symptom of any bone metastasis, which gets worse over time. Weakened bone secondary to metastatic bone disease can lead to fracture of that bone (Pathological Fracture).
Bone metastasis in the spine can cause compression of the spinal cord leading to paralysis or loss of control of urine/ stools.
Bone metastasis are not life threatening on their own but can significantly hamper the quality of life of the patient.
How is metastatic bone disease diagnosed?
A patient may present with two case scenarios –
- – When patient is unaware of any prior diagnosis of cancer and he/ she presents with bone pain/ fracture
- – When patient is already a known case of cancer of other body organ (Breast, Thyroid, Kidney etc) develops bone pains/ fracture
- – Usually , the patient is subjected to a battery of tests which includes blood investigations, X-rays, MRI, Whole Body PET CT scan / Bone scan, biopsy to establish the diagnosis of metastatic bone disease
How is metastatic bone disease treated?
Bone Metastatic Treatment in India depends on the kind of primary tumour (lung, breast etc) from where it has spread, extent of involvement of disease, prior treatment received, performance status of the patient etc.
By enlarge, the intent of treatment in metastatic bone disease is palliative in majority of the cases, whereby the aim of treatment is to improve the quality of life and prolong it (if possible).
If the expected life expectancy of the patient is more than 3 months, patient can be considered for some sort of surgery if the need be. Surgery is usually required for management of fracture or an impending pathological fracture.
All patients are started on bone strengthening agents and usually, patient may also require some form of radiation and chemotherapy after surgery.
Dr Rajat Gupta
Orthopaedic Oncologist
Bone Cancer Clinic
# 5, Sector 19 A, Chandigarh
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SCO 141 (Backside), Sector 14, Panchkula
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