Managing symptoms of secondary bone cancer

Pain is the most common symptom of secondary bone cancer.

There are different types of pain, and they may need different treatments.

There are many painkillers available. You may be given painkillers on their own or alongside other treatments. Other treatments that may be used to treat pain include:

• radiotherapy
• bisphosphonates
• surgery.

Your doctor or specialist nurse will discuss your pain with you. It is important to let them know:

• where your pain is
• if the pain is not controlled
• if you get pain with tasks such as walking or lifting things.

You can ask your doctor to refer you to a palliative care nurse. They are specialists in advising on pain and symptom control. They can also advise on other ways to help you manage pain.

Secondary bone cancer often affects the bones in the spine. This can cause back or neck pain. Tell your doctors if you have pain. They can give you painkillers.

Sometimes, the cancer can put pressure on the nerves in the spine. This is called malignant spinal cord compression (MSCC). It is rare but can be serious.

Symptoms of spinal cord compression include:

• back or neck pain, which may be mild at first but becomes severe
• weakness in your arms or legs
• numbness or pins and needles in your legs, hands, around your buttocks or anywhere else in your body
• problems controlling or passing urine
• constipation or problems controlling your bowels.

If you develop any of these symptoms, it is very important to let your doctor or specialist nurse know straight away.

If you have malignant spinal cord compression, you will need treatment as soon as possible. The treatment aims to relieve the pressure and prevent permanent damage to the nerves.

We have more information about spinal cord compression including how it may be treated.

If you have a low level of red blood cells (anaemia), you may feel breathless and get tired more easily. Your doctor may suggest that you have a blood transfusion.

Low levels of white blood cells make you more likely to get an infection. Your doctor can prescribe antibiotics if you do get an infection.

A low platelet count will increase your risk of bruising and bleeding. Occasionally, if your platelet count is very low, you may need a platelet transfusion.

Your doctor may suggest treatments that target the cancer to help reduce the effects on the bone marrow. This will depend on which type of primary cancer you have.