[Epidemiology, management and cost of bone metastases from lung cancer]

Abstract

In lung cancer, there is a significant incidence of bone metastases with skeletal complications affecting more than 50% of patients. The systematic detection of bone metastases should be included in the initial staging of lung cancer in order to begin their management at an early stage. Treatment is either pharmacological (analgesics, zoledronic acid, anti-rank ligand) or non-pharmacological (radiotherapy, interventional radiological techniques, surgery) especially when bone metastases become symptomatic or complicated. External beam radiation, used for both analgesia and strengthening, can be combined with percutaneous and surgical treatments. Prophylactic or restorative surgery for pathological fractures should be subject to multidisciplinary discussion. Finally, the medico-economic impact of bone metastases is substantial. This is related to treatment of bone complications, which emphasises the importance of their prevention.

Conclusion: Bone metastases from lung cancer cause complications which impact on patients' quality of life. Their management should be by a multidisciplinary approach in view of the numerous therapeutic options.