Skeletal Metastases

Welcome to PT 635 Pathophysiology of Complex Patient Problems This is a wiki created by and for the students in the School of Physical Therapy at Bellarmine University in Louisville KY. Please do not edit unless you are involved in this project, but please come back in the near future to check out new information!!

Original Editors - Cassie Ferrett & Rebecaa Porter from Bellarmine University's Pathophysiology of Complex Patient Problems project.

Lead Editors - Your name will be added here if you are a lead editor on this page.  Read more.

Definition/Description

     Cancer is created in the body when abnormal cells begin to rapidly multiply. These cancer cells can end up traveling to other parts of the body if they enter into the bloodstream and/or lymph vessels. The term 'metastasis' refers to the process in which cancer cells travel to a new place and begin to grow in its new location.

     A cancer is always named for the place that it first formed; this is called its primary site. For instance, if a person has breast cancer that has spread to the bone, it still is labeled as breat cancer and not bone cancer. Cancer that actually originates in the bone is called primary bone cancer and is less common than bone cancer.

     The definition of a skeletal metastasis is a cancer of the bone that has originated from another site. Bones are a common site for certain cancers such as breast cancer and prostate cancer. The most common sites for skeletal metastases are the spine (this is the most common site), pelvis, femur, humerus, ribs, and skull.

Prevalence

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Characteristics/Clinical Presentation

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Associated Co-morbidities

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Medications

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Diagnostic Tests/Lab Tests/Lab Values

     If a person has cancer, lab tests and imaging tests may be done to see if the caner has spread to other sites. This is how skeletal metastases are discovered in their early stages. In other situations, symptoms of skeletal metastases may be the first indicator that the cancer has spread. These symptoms include bone pain, fractures, symptoms of spinal cord compression, and/or symptoms of hypercalcemia (these symptoms are explained in more detail under 'Characteristics/Clinical Presentation'). Lab tests and imaging tests are then performed to confirm whether or not a skeletal metastasis is causing these symptoms.

Etiology/Causes

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Systemic Involvement

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Medical Management (current best evidence)

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Physical Therapy Management (current best evidence)

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Alternative/Holistic Management (current best evidence)

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Differential Diagnosis

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Case Reports/ Case Studies

McGarvey CL. A case report:breast cancer metastasis and implications of bony metastasis on activity and ambulation. Rehabilitation Oncology; 2006: 24- 1.

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Resources

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Recent Related Research (from Pubmed)

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References

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