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When prostate cancer cells spread to the bone, it’s known as prostate cancer bone metastases (not bone cancer). Once the cells settle in the bone, they start to interfere with the bone’s normal health and strength, often leading to bone pain, fracture, or other complications that can significantly impair a man’s health.

Early detection of bone metastases can help determine the best treatment strategy. It can also help ward off complications. Because men with prostate cancer bone metastases often experience painful episodes, pain management and improving quality of life are important aspects of all treatment strategies.

Treatments

Painful bone metastases can commonly be treated successfully with radiation therapy. If more than two to three spots are involved, medications called radiopharmaceuticals are often used. These radioactive isotopes home in on the bone and the cancer and can reduce pain in multiple spots all at once.

Complementing radiation treatments with medications (opiates, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications), alternative medicines (acupuncture, healing touch, yoga, biofeedback), and psychological and social support is recommended.

Chemotherapy is also highly effective in reducing bone pain. Bisphosphonates like zoledronic acid have also been shown to reduce pain and fractures from skeletal metastases and can complement existing therapies.

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