Bone metastases are common in many cancers. They can cause a wide range of symptoms impairing quality of life and shortening survival. Direct complications of bone involvement include severe pain, pathologic fractures, hypercalcaemia and spinal cord compression. Evaluation is critical to assess location and extent of bone metastases. This includes clinical and neurological examination. Possible imaging studies are: radiographs, skeletal scintigraphy, CT, MRI and 18-FDG-PET. The management of bone metastases is multidisciplinary. Bisphosphonates are commonly the most frequently used osteoclast inhibitors and should always form part of treatment. Radiotherapy is most efficient for pain relief. (BELG J MED ONCOL 2012;6:80–86)
