JoVE - Journal of Visualized Experiments
JoVE Visualize
Contact Us

Evaluating risk factors for skeletal-related events among bone metastases from solid tumors

  • 0Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States.
Radiotherapy and Oncology : Journal of the European Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology +

|

July 20, 2025

|

July 20, 2025

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Skeletal-related events (SRE) increase cancer mortality. Radiation for pain alone carries a similar mortality risk as any SRE, and prostate cancer with hip metastases elevates SRE risk.

Area Of Science

  • Oncology
  • Medical Imaging
  • Cancer Metastasis

Background

  • Skeletal-related events (SRE) are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in cancer patients.
  • Identifying risk factors for SRE and their impact on survival is crucial for developing targeted preventive strategies.

Purpose Of The Study

  • To identify risk factors for skeletal-related events (SRE) in patients with bone metastases.
  • To analyze the association between SRE, specific treatments like radiation for pain, and overall mortality.

Main Methods

  • Retrospective cohort study of 410 patients with bone metastases from solid tumors.
  • Survival analysis using Cox and multi-state models, considering death as a competing risk.
  • Evaluation of variables including tumor type, metastasis site, and trial eligibility.

Main Results

  • 40% of patients experienced SRE; 18% received radiation for pain alone.
  • Both SRE and radiation for pain were associated with increased mortality (HR 1.98 and 2.14, respectively).
  • Prostate cancer and hip/acetabulum metastases were linked to higher SRE risk.

Conclusions

  • Radiation for pain alone should be considered an SRE due to similar mortality risk.
  • Prostate cancer and hip/acetabulum metastases are key indicators for elevated SRE risk.
  • Findings can inform future preventive strategies for SRE in cancer patients.

Keywords:

Related Concept Videos

Bone Disorders 01:29

4.0K

Aging and its effect on bone remodeling is the most common cause of bone disorders. In young and healthy people, bone deposition and resorption happen at an equal rate to maintain optimal bone health.
Bone deposition is also affected by the levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone that promote osteoblast activity and bone matrix synthesis. When the level of these hormones decreases due to aging, it causes a reduction in bone deposition. As a result, bone resorption by osteoclasts...

What is the Skeletal System? 01:02

53.6K

Overview

The adult human skeleton comprises 206 bones that are connected through cartilage, tendons, and ligaments. The skeleton provides a rigid framework for the human body, protects internal organs, and enables movement and locomotion. The human skeletal system consists of the axial and appendicular skeletons. Bone tissue is continuously built up and chewed away by specialized bone cells which are essential to overall health. Dysregulated bone cells and incorrect levels of chemical...

Metastasis 02:30

5.7K

Metastasis is the spread of cancer cells from the original site to distant locations in the body. Cancer cells can spread via blood vessels (hematogenous) as well as lymph vessels in the body.
Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition
The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition or EMT is a developmental process commonly observed in wound healing, embryogenesis, and cancer metastasis. EMT is induced by transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) or receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) ligands, which further...

The Functions of the Skeletal System 01:22

4.4K

The most apparent functions of the skeletal system are support, protection, and movement. However, bone tissue also performs several other critical metabolic functions. For one, the bone matrix acts as a reservoir for a number of minerals important to the functioning of the body, especially calcium and phosphorus. These minerals, present in the bone tissue, can be released back into the bloodstream when required. Calcium ions, for example, are essential for muscle contractions and controlling...

Osteoclasts in Bone Remodeling 01:31

3.2K

Osteoclasts are cells responsible for bone resorption and remodeling. They originate from hematopoietic progenitor cells present in the bone marrow. Numerous progenitor cells fuse to form multinucleated cells, each with 10-20 nuclei. A single osteoclast has a diameter of 150 to 200 µM. These cells have ruffled borders that break down the underlying bone tissue and release minerals such as calcium into the blood in bone resorption. Osteoclasts cling to bones with their ruffled edges during...

Bone Remodeling 01:40

38.5K

Bone remodeling is a continuous and balanced process of bone resorption by osteoclasts and bone formation by osteoblasts. In adults, it helps maintain bone mass and calcium homeostasis. While mechanical stress can stimulate turnover as part of the normal maintenance and reparative process, several hormones also regulate bone remodeling.

Hormonal Control of Bone Remodeling

Parathyroid hormone (PTH) maintains homeostatic control of blood calcium levels by regulating bone resorption. PTH is...