Pathologic Fracture from Cancer: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
A pathologic fracture from cancer occurs when a bone breaks because it has been weakened by a tumor. Cancer can spread to bones or arise within them, reducing bone strength and making fractures more likely, even with minimal trauma or stress.
These fractures can occur in any bone affected by cancer, but they are most common in the arms, legs, spine, and hips. Symptoms often include sudden, severe pain, swelling, deformity, and loss of mobility at the fracture site.
Diagnosis usually involves imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans, or MRI scans.
Treatment depends on the type and stage of cancer, the severity and location of the fracture, and the overall health of the patient. Options may include surgery to stabilize the bone, radiation therapy to shrink tumors, chemotherapy to control cancer, and supportive treatments to improve bone healing and quality of life.