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Metastatic bone disease happens when cancer from another part of the body — such as the breast, lung, prostate, kidney, or thyroid — spreads to the bones. This is not the same as a primary bone cancer, but it can cause pain, fractures, and reduced mobility, making expert care essential.

Our role is to provide comprehensive treatment and support. This often involves a combination of:

• Accurate diagnosis with scans and tests

• Pain management and medicines to strengthen the bone (such as bisphosphonates)

• Surgical treatment where needed, to stabilise or strengthen weakened bones and prevent fractures

• Radiotherapy or systemic cancer treatments, delivered as part of a multidisciplinary oncology plan

• Rehabilitation and physiotherapy to help restore movement and independence

The focus of treatment is not only on controlling the disease but also on relieving symptoms, protecting mobility, and supporting overall wellbeing. Many patients benefit from surgery that helps stabilise the bone, allowing them to remain active and avoid complications.

Limb-saving surgery (also known as limb-salvage surgery) is a highly specialised operation where the tumour is carefully removed while preserving as much of the healthy bone, muscle, and nerves as possible. Once the tumour is taken out, the affected bone is reconstructed — often with a metal implant (prosthesis), a bone graft, or a combination of both.

The goal is to completely remove the cancer while maintaining limb function, so patients can continue to walk, use their arm, or return to daily activities with minimal limitations. This approach avoids amputation in the vast majority of cases.