Radiation Therapy for Bone Metastases

Symptoms and signs of bone metastases

• Healthy bone provides structural support, regulates mineral balance and blood cell production in your body. When cancer involves the bone, some or all of these normal bone functions may be affected.
• Pain is the most common symptom of bone metastases. Pain from bone metastases can sometimes be worse at night or with bed rest.
• Bone metastases can weaken bones, putting them at risk for breaking. In some cases, a fracture is the first sign of bone metastases. The long bones of the arms and legs and the bones in the spine are the most common ones to break.
• When cancer spreads to the spine, it can squeeze the spinal cord causing a spinal cord compression. Signs of this are back pain, numbness or weakness in the legs, trouble urinating or having a bowel movement, or numbness in the abdomen.
• Bone metastases can cause calcium to be released from the bones into the bloodstream. The increased calcium can cause loss of appetite, nausea, thirst, constipation, tiredness or confusion. If you notice these symptoms, you should talk to your doctor right away.
• Sometimes you have no noticeable symptoms or signs that the cancer has spread to the bone. Rather, you may come in for a routine follow-up visit and the cancer is found during your exam or on imaging scans.