bone, joint, and muscle disorders
Metastatic Bone Tumors
Treatment of Metastatic Bone Tumors
Radiation therapy Surgery to stabilize the bone Surgery to remove tumors Measures to lessen bone loss Treatment of metastatic bone tumors depends on the type of cancer that has spread to the bone. Some types respond to Chemotherapy and Other Systemic Cancer Treatments , some to Surgery to stabilize the bone is often done to treat fractures and sometimes even to prevent fractures. Surgery for pathologic fractures may involve placing a rod inside the bone, using plates and screws to stabilize the bone, or removing the affected bone and rebuilding the limb and joint. When the original (primary) cancer has been removed and only a single tumor remains in the bone, especially if the tumor developed years after the original tumor, the single tumor is surgically removed and the bone is rebuilt. Sometimes this removal and rebuilding is combined with Radiation Therapy for Cancer , The goals of treatment are to minimize the loss of bone tissue, relieve pain, and allow mobility. Loss of bone tissue can cause pain and make bones tend to fracture, which can require surgery. Bone loss can be minimized by using radiation therapy and drugs that prevent bone loss (such as bisphosphonates ordenosumab) before bone loss is widespread and pain occurs. To relieve spine pain, kyphoplasty or vertebroplasty may be done. Either procedure can be done if tumors are causing the back bone to collapse but are not putting pressure on the spinal cord. In kyphoplasty, a balloon is inserted into the back bone and is expanded to restore the bone to its normal shape and prevent the bone from collapsing further. Then bone cement (methyl methacrylate) is injected. Vertebroplasty is similar to kyphoplasty except that no balloon is inserted. If the tumors are at risk of causing collapse that could put pressure on the spinal cord and cause spinal cord damage (such as weakness or paralysis of the legs), treatment, such as surgery, to reduce the pressure and stabilize the spine may be recommended. 