Medicine and Science from The BMJ Management of cancer induced bone pain
7 snips
Jan 30, 2015 
Michael Bennett, a UCL palliative medicine professor, and Christopher Kane, an NIHR academic clinical fellow at Leeds, discuss cancer induced bone pain. They cover how it presents and where it occurs. They explain warning signs that need urgent review. They describe balancing activity and function with pain control, initial drug strategies including opioids, and specialist options like radiotherapy and interventions.
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Think Bone Metastasis For Deep Gnawing Pain
- Suspect cancer-induced bone pain for deep, gnawing, aching pain in vertebrae, pelvis, long bones or ribs.
- Christopher Kane advises considering it in anyone with pain in those typical metastatic sites.
Investigate Back Pain Aggressively In Cancer Patients
- Have a low threshold to investigate back pain in patients with current or prior cancer and any red flags like weight loss, weakness, or focal vertebral pain.
- Christopher Kane warns neurological signs or pinpoint vertebral tenderness require prompt assessment.
Movement Pain May Signal Fracture Or Cord Compression
- Cancer-induced bone pain is often movement-related and can signal vertebral fracture or evolving spinal cord compression.
- Christopher Kane highlights subtle presentations like tightness or progressive weakness that can precede major neurological loss.