Research progress of bone metastases: From disease recognition to clinical practice

Abstract

Bone metastases, as one of the common types of metastatic tumors, have a great impact on the survival period and quality of life of patients. Bone metastases are usually characterized by bone destruction. Skeletal related events caused by bone destruction often lead to pain, pathological fractures and even paralysis. In this review, we provide a detailed explanation of bone metastases from the epidemiology, clinical features, pathogenesis, and recently developed clinical treatment viewpoints. We concluded that the incidence of bone metastases is increasing gradually, with serious clinical symptoms, complex pathogenesis and diverse clinical treatment. Tumor cells, immune cells, osteoblasts/osteoclasts and other cells as well as cytokines and enzymes all play a key role in the pathogenesis of bone metastases. We believe that the future treatment of bone metastases will be diversified and comprehensive. Some advanced technologies, such as nanomedicine, could be used for treatment, but this depends on understanding how disease occurs. With the development of treatment, the survival time and quality of life of patients will be improved.

Epidemiological and pathological characteristics of spinal metastases from gastrointestinal cancers – a series of 40 cases

“…Until now, as far as we know, there are only few studies investigating bone metastases from primary GI cancer and fewer studies analyzing spinal metastases from these malignancies, especially because it is difficult to obtain a large series of patients as the incidence of bone metastases in GI cancers is relatively low [ 10 ].…”

“…A group of researchers from Canada recently analyzed more than 2000 patients with spinal metastases and found that the primary tumor was breast (17.5%), prostate (12.7%), urinary system (10.8%), myeloma (6.5%), and lower gastrointestinal (GI) tract (6.2%) [ 7 ]. It seems that there is a peculiarity of GI cancers because they disseminate only in a small number of cases both at the brain level, i.e., <4% of all tumors of the GI tract [ 8 , 9 ], and at the spinal level, the percentage being similar (6.2%) [ 10 ].…”

Clinical efficacy analysis of surgical treatment for spinal metastasis under the multidisciplinary team using the NOMS decision system combined with the revised Tokuhashi scoring system: a randomized controlled study

“…We will include them in the later stage of the research. (2) The sample size of this study was relatively small, and we will continue to expand the sample size in the future. (3) The follow-up time was insufficient, and we extended the follow-up time in the later stage.…”

“…Bone metastasis is a common complication of cancer, caused by most types of malignancies, and frequently occurs in patients with breast cancer (65–75%), prostate cancer (65–90%), lung cancer (17–64%), or renal cancer (20–25%) [ 1 ]. The spine is the most common site for metastatic bone tumours, accounting for 60–70% of cases [ 2 ]. With in-depth research into primary tumours and spinal metastases, and improvements in medical oncology, surgical oncology, and radiotherapy, the survival time of cancer patients has increased, leading to a gradual increase in the incidence of spinal metastases.…”

Long non-coding RNAs in bone metastasis: progresses and perspectives as potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers

“…The incidence of bone metastasis varies depending on the type of cancer and the stage of the disease: in the advanced stage bone is the most common site of metastasis for breast cancer with up to 75% of patient developing bone metastasis, in prostate cancer, bone metastasis occurs in up to 70-85% of patients and in lung cancer, bone metastasis occurs in approximately 40% of patients ( 57 ). The risk of developing bone metastasis increases with age.…”