Th e Use of Corticosteroids for Treating

What is the prevalence of bone metastasis? Bone metastases are a common complication of cancer. Th e true prevalence of bone metastases is not fully known. However, cancers of the breast and prostate frequently metastasize to the bone, occurring in up to 70 % of patients with advanced disease. In other cancers (e.g., lung, colon, stomach, bladder, uterine, rectal, thyroid, and kidney), bone metastases have an estimated occurrence of 15 to 30%.1 Common sites for bone metastases are the vertebrae, pelvis, hip, femur, ribs, and skull.1,2 What is the mechanism of bone metastasis and related pain? Normal bone subsists in a state of remodeling – constantly being broken down and rebuilt. Cancer cells that spread to the bone disrupt the balance between the activity of cells that break down bone (osteoclasts) and cells that make bone (osteoblasts). Bone metastases can be classifi ed as osteolytic (which cause dissolution of bone), osteoblastic (which fi ll up bone with extra cells), or mixed. Regardless of classifi cation, the symptoms of bone metastasis can vary from person to person.1,2 What are the symptoms and complications of bone metastasis? Th e most common symptoms are pain, swelling, or tenderness in the aff ected area. Th e pain is frequently described as deep, dull, aching, or sharp and is often constant. Th e pain is usually localized in a particular are