Metastases to the Bone

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What is Metastases to the Bone?

Metastases is the term used to describe the spread of cancer from its site of origin to another location in the body. Bone is one of the most common locations in the body to which cancer metastasises. Any type of cancer can spread to the bone.The most common metastasising cancers are those of the breast, lung, kidney, thyroid and prostate.

Who gets Metastases to the Bone?

Bone metastases are common, however, its true incidence is unknown, as it is dependent on the prevalence of certain types of cancers in the community which predispose to bone metastases.

Predisposing Factors

Bone metastases are found more commonly in middle-aged to elderly people; they are uncommon in children. The major cancer types which tend to metastasize to bone include multiple myeloma, breast, prostate, lung, kidney, and thyroid cancers. However, a number of factors are involved - the probability of bone metastasis can be assessed only by knowing the prevalence of the cancer and its preference for bone in a particular ethnic group.

Progression

Bone metastases results in injury to bone tissue. There are two types of bone lesions: lytic lesions, which destroy bone material, and blastic lesions, which fill up bone with extra cells. Normal bone is in a constant state of remodelling - being broken down and rebuilt. Cancer cells that have spread to the bone disrupt this balance between the activity of cells that break down bone (osteoclasts) and cells that make bone (osteoblasts).

Bone metastases may be found anywhere in the skeleton, but generally occur in the central parts. More than 90% of all metastases are found in the back, pelvis, upper leg, ribs, upper arm, and skull. Complications of bone metastases include pain, increased risk of fracture, raised calcium levels in the blood, and a decreased blood cell count.

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