Metastatic cancer occurs when cancer spreads from its original location (primary tumour) to a new part of the body. Bone metastases occur when a cancer spreads to the bone from its primary site. Bone metastases are different from a cancer that starts in the bone (called primary bone cancer). Primary bone cancers occur much less often than bone metastases. Bone metastases are a frequent problem associated with advanced stages of certain types of cancer.
Cancers that spread to the bone
Bone metastases only develop if a person already has cancer. The bones are a common place that cancers spread. Some people with cancer will develop bone metastases and others will not. There are certain kinds of cancer that are more likely than others to spread to the bone. The most common cancers that spread to the bone are:
- breast
- prostate
- lung
- kidney
- thyroid
- colorectal
For some types of cancer, large, fast-growing (high grade) tumours or tumours that have already spread to the lymph nodes are more likely to spread to the bone.
Where bone metastases occur
Metastases can occur in any bone of the body. Sometimes only one area of bone is affected, but some people develop several bone metastases, often in different bones in the body. The most common areas of bone metastases include the:
- spine (vertebrae) – most common location
- pelvis
- ribs
- upper leg bone (femur)
- upper arm bone (humerus)
- skull
Find out more about signs and symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, follow-up after treatment and supportive care for bone metastases.