Secondary bone cancer

If you’re affected by secondary bone cancer (bone metastases), you may have many questions about how it is diagnosed, treatment options, side effects and how to stay well. You can find trustworthy information about all aspects of your experience below.

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What is secondary bone cancer?

This means the cancer started in another part of the body but has now spread (metastasised) to the bone.

Symptoms

Learn about the common symptoms of secondary bone cancer and when to see your doctor.

Getting diagnosed

Find out about the tests for secondary bone cancer, how it is diagnosed and staged, and who will provide your care.

Treating secondary cancer

The aim of treatment for secondary bone cancer is to control or shrink the cancer and relieve symptoms.

Living with secondary bone cancer

People diagnosed with secondary bone cancer can feel well and have long periods of time without symptoms.

Questions for your doctorAsking your doctor questions will help you make informed decisions. Here’s a list of questions you may want to ask.

Which bones has the cancer spread to?
What treatment do you recommend and why?
What is the aim of the treatment?
If I don’t have treatment, what can I expect?
What is the expected outcome of this cancer?
How will I know if the treatment is working?
Can I do my normal activities while having this treatment?
Will I have a lot of bone pain? What will be done about this?
What can I do to prevent broken bones?
What will you do if a bone breaks?
Are there any clinical trials or research studies I can join?
How can I access palliative care?

For information on cancer that has started in the bone (bone sarcoma), see primary bone cancer.

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This information was last updated in September 2024. See who reviewed this content.

Prof Angela Hong, Radiation Oncologist, Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, and Clinical Professor, The University of Sydney, NSW; Anne Booms, Nurse Practitioner Supportive and Palliative Care, Icon Cancer Centre Midlands, WA; A/Prof Richard Boyle, Orthopaedic Surgeon, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Sydney, NSW; Belinda Fowlie, Bone Tumour Nurse Practitioner Candidate, SA Bone and Soft Tissue Tumour Unit, Flinders Medical Centre, SA; Dr Tahlia Scheinberg, Medical Oncologist, Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, NSW; Dr Clare Zachulski, Palliative Care Specialist, Westmead Hospital, NSW.

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