Bone Lesions Case 3 Background

Carcinoma metastatic to bone is 15 times more common than primary bone tumors. Lytic lesions occur when bone destruction occurs more rapidly than new bone formation. Lytic lesions are typically more painful than blastic lesions and are more likely to cause pathologic fracture.

Common cancers that produce lytic lesions are lung, adrenal, multiple myeloma, and breast (which can produce lytic or blastic lesions). The most commonly affected area is the spine, followed by pelvis, femur, ribs, humerus,and skull. Bony metastases are grim prognostic indicators, with mean survival of 18 months once diagnosed.