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Cancer.
Metastatic Bone Disease and Vertebral Compression Fractures (VCFs).

Cancer strikes an estimated 1.4 million men and women each year in North America[1] Of these, approximately 600,000 people develop metastatic bone disease.[2] Metastatic bone disease is a painful condition that can develop in conjunction with cancers of the breast, prostate, lung, or other organs.[3]

Bone metastases occur when cancer cells break away from the original tumor, enter the blood stream, and reach the bone marrow, where they begin to multiply and grow.[3][4] This spreading process is called metastasis.[5]

Cancer cells that have metastasized to the bone can cause damage in two ways:

  • They may eat away areas of bone, creating holes called osteolytic lesions. This process can make bones fragile and weak, causing them to fracture or break easily[6]
  • They may stimulate bone to form and build up abnormally. These areas of new bone are called osteosclerotic lesions. They are weak and unstable and may fracture or collapse.[6]

Bone metastasis is most common in the spine and typically results in vertebral compression fractures.[7] Other common sites are the pelvis (hip), upper leg bone (femur), upper arm bone (humerus), ribs, and the skull.[7]

Symptoms[8][9]

Metastatic bone disease is one of the most frequent causes of pain in people with cancer. When a primary cancer spreads to the bone, it can weaken the bones, causing them to fracture or break. Additionally, as the cancer cells damage the bones, calcium is released. This can lead to problems from high blood calcium levels. Bone metastases also cause other problems that can limit daily activities and severely affect quality of life. [10][11]

  • Bone pain
  • Fractured or broken bones, the vertebrae and long bones of the legs and arms are the most common sites
  • Numbness or weakness in the legs or numbness in the abdomen, signs that the spinal cord may be compressed
  • High level of calcium in the blood, which may result in excessive thirst and urination, constipation, nausea, loss of appetite, or mental confusion

It’s important for patients to discuss any of these symptoms with their doctor or find a specialist to help diagnose the issue. Detecting and treating metastatic bone disease early can help reduce complications and preserve quality of life.

Risk Factors

Metastatic bone disease occurs most frequently in adults older than 50 years who have a history of breast, kidney, lung, prostate, or thyroid cancer, or multiple myeloma.[12][13][14][15]

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