Other places in the body where bone metastasis occurs is in the pelvic bones (70 of the cases), the ribs (65% of the cases), the upper extremities (48% of the cases) and in the sternum (in 43% of the cases of bone metastasis). The Supportive Care article was reporting on a symposium in Boston, Massachusetts, during which Dr. Richard Loyd explained that "worldwide, over four million individuals will experience bone metastasis," which is the third most common place for metastasis to be located. It is perfectly normal for bones to be going through both "destruction" and "formation" - which is called the "normal remodeling cycle of bone." However, the "vicious cycle of bone destruction common with metastatic disease" actually originates when tumor cells secrete "excessive amounts of paraneoplastic hormones." Those hormones then activate "osteoclasts" which destroy bones, but in reaction to the osteoclasts, the bone produces certain proteins (like interleukin-6), which, unfortunately, "further enhance tumor growth," and the cycle is complete.

When a person has breast cancer, in 65-75% of the cases bone metastasis will occur, but the highest incidence of bone metastasis is associated with the cancer called myeloma (in 95% of those cases, bone metastasis occurs).

In conclusion, a recent study (Science Daily,...

The Trojan horse that was tested in mice "stopped specialized cells within the bone from chewing up other bone material." It may lead to scientists' ability to prevent bone cancer in humans, the report suggested. That is very good news for science, and for cancer patients.
Works Cited

American Cancer Society. (2006). What Is Bond Metastasis? Metastatic Cancer. Retrieved 19 Nov. 2006 at http://www.cancer.org.

Barrick, Mechelle. (2006). Case Studies in Metastatic Bone Disease: Understanding the Unique

Nature of bone loss Due to Malignancy. Supportive Care. Oncology Nursing Society News.

Vol. 21, p. 51-52. Retrieved 19 Nov. 2006 from AN #22263245 EBSCO Host.

Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. (2006). Metastasis. Retrieved 19 Nov. 2006 at http://www.m-w/dictionary/metastasis.com.

Oral Cancer Foundation. (2006). Metastasis. Retrieved 19 Nov. 2006 at http://www.oralcancerfoundation.org/facts/metastasis.htm.

Science Daily. (2006). "Trojan Horse" Agent Halts Bone Metastasis In Mice. University of Texas. Retrieved 19 Nov. 2006 at http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/11/061115053111.htm.