What Happens When Cancer Gets in Your Bone?
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Bone Metastasis
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Primary bone cancer, cancer that starts in the bones, is rare. In most cases, cancer in the bone originates at another site, such as the breast or prostate. When a cancer cell breaks off from its primary location and lodges in another area, this is known as metastasis. Cancer cells can break off from any primary tumor and lodge anywhere else in the body. However, the bones are a common place for cancer cells to settle and grow. A bone metastasis can occur in any bone but are most often found in the bones near the midline -- the spine, ribs and pelvis. The upper leg, upper arm bone and skull are also common sites for metastasis.
Bone Metastasis and the Body
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Bone metastasis can damage and weaken the bones and may even cause fractures. Bone metastasis also causes pain and is one of the most frequent causes of pain in cancer patients. Cancer cells eat into bone, causing the release of calcium into the blood stream. Increased blood calcium levels, hypercalcemia, may result in heart rhythm anomalies, kidney stones and depression. Extremely high levels of blood calcium may result in excessive sleepiness and even death. A doctor may take steps to prevent a bone from breaking by reinforcing the bone with a steel rod or injecting glue to stabilize the bone.
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Bone Metastasis and Cancer Prognosis
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Once a cancer metastasizes to other sites, it is very difficult to cure. It is still possible to treat the cancer, and proper treatment may prolong lifespan and improve quality of life. Treatment options depend on the type of primary cancer, which bones are affected and which treatments the patient has already received. The patient's general health status and the status of the patient's bones also are important factors. Doctors may use systemic treatments, like chemotherapy, to treat the primary cancer. Treating the primary cancer may halt the progression of the disease and shrink existing cancer cells. In other cases, the doctor may prescribe local treatments, such as radiation directly on the affected bones. The local therapy may prevent further damage to the bones and metastasis-related complications. The doctor may include drugs called bisphosphonates to help strengthen and repair the bones.
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