Bone Metastases from Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer, a common malignancy encountered in old aged men, frequently metastasizes to bones. As the bone scan reveals, the bones of the pelvis and spine are usually affected. The metastatic lesions are largely osteoblastic (bone forming) and hence, bone pain is the predominant feature rather than fractures. The pain can be relieved by painkillers (NSAIDS and opioids) and radiotherapy. Radiotherapy provides very good symptomatic relief for bone metastases. It also helps in relieving symptoms of spinal cord compression secondary to metastatic deposits. However, involvement of multiple areas of the bones can make radiotherapy difficult. Another technique employed for multiple bone metastases is using intravenous radioisotope of Strontium-89. This isotope preferentially deposits in bones and has been shown to be effective. However, the duration of response may not be long. Source: Bailey and Love's Short Practice of Surgery, 26th edition