Metastatic bone cancer is a type of cancer that occurs when cancer from one part of the body, such as the breast or lung, spreads through the blood into the bones, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS). Metastatic bone cancer most commonly occurs within the spinal column, but it can also occur within the pelvis, ribs, legs or arms.
Surgery
If you have metastatic bone cancer, a number of surgical options may be employed in an effort to effectively treat your cancer. Diagnostic or staging surgery may be recommended by your doctor to determine the extent---also known as stage---of your metastatic bone cancer. Limb-sparing surgery may be performed if the metastatic bone cancer can be effectively removed without amputating the entire limb. Surgical amputation involves the removal of the cancerous limb and may be necessary if the cancer has spread through an entire limb. In some cases, healthy bone from other regions of the body may be used to replace any bone that is removed during amputation, according to the Cancer Treatment Centers of America. An artificial device, such as a thin steel rod or metal support, may be placed within the bone during surgery to help support the bone tissue and, according to the ACS, prevent the bone from breaking.
Chemotherapy
People with metastatic bone cancer may benefit from chemotherapy treatment or other systemic therapies. Chemotherapy treatment involves the use of specific drugs that target and destroy cancer cells throughout the body, according to the National Cancer Institute (NCI). A number of side effects are associated with chemotherapeutic treatment, including such symptoms as hair loss, nausea, vomiting and fatigue. Additional systemic therapies, such as bisphosphonate or radiopharmaceutical drugs, may be used in conjunction with chemotherapy to treat metastatic bone cancer. Bisphosphonate medication acts to help reinforce and strengthen the bone tissue, which can revent bone fractures from occurring, according to the ACS. Radiopharmaceutical drugs can help deliver treatment to several bones at the same time and act to alleviate symptoms associated with metastatic bone cancer.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy may provide another treatment option for people with metastatic bone cancer. This type of therapy uses high-energy rays to directly target and destroy cancer cells. Radiation therapy may alleviate the symptoms associated with metastatic bone cancer, such as bone pain. Side effects of radiation therapy include fatigue or changes to the skin, such as dryness or itching. Once treatment has ended, these symptoms typically resolve.
