How do bone metastases damage the bone?
Bone metastases wear away portions of the bone, leaving small holes. These holes cause the bone to be weaker and more fragile. Occasionally bone metastases cause the build up of abnormal bone. This new, abnormal bone is weak and unstable. In both cases, the bone metastases have weakened the bone and made it more prone to break or collapse. Because of this, one of the most common complications of bone metastases is a broken bone (also called a bone fracture). Bone surgery may be needed to treat a fracture or to stabilize a weak area to prevent a fracture.
