Context: Bone metastasis (BM) is a frequent complication of cancer, representing the third most common site of secondary spread in solid cancers behind the lung and liver. Bone metastasis is found in up to 90% of prostate and breast cancer patients. They can cause significant complications, such as pathological fractures and paralysis of the spine, which decrease daily functioning and quality of life (QoL) and worsen prognosis. The growing life expectancy of cancer patients due to improvements in systemic therapies may further increase BM's eventuality and clinical burden in cancer patients.
Evidence acquisition: Four physicians from five different specialties were interviewed and resumed the most relevant literature of the last 20 years focusing on pain treatment in BM patients.
Results: Treatment for BM ideally involves various types of specialists and assessments. The disease status and patient background should be considered, requiring holistic care and expertise from various medical specialties.
Conclusions: Interventional, nuclear medicine, radiotherapy, and mini-invasive techniques can be safe and effective for relieving pain and modifying health-related QoL in BM patients.
Keywords: Cancer Pain; Pain Management; Radiation Therapy; Radiometabolic Therapy; Skeletal Metastasis.
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