Review of Bone Metastasis in Gynecologic Malignancies: Evaluation and Treatment

Metastatic bone disease (MBD) is a significant source of morbidity and mortality in cancer patients with solid tumors, including those with gynecologic malignancies. Infiltration of tumor cells within the bone microenvironment disrupts bone homeostasis and leads to osteoblastic, osteolytic, or mixed bone lesions. Greater than two thirds of those with MBD experience cancer-induced bone pain (CIBP) and one to two-thirds will develop a skeletal-related event (SRE). Various pharmacologic, surgical, and radiation treatments exist for the palliation of bone metastases and the prevention of SREs. It is paramount to understand the diagnostic evaluation and evidence-based treatment paradigms of bone metastases to decrease healthcare utilization, alleviate financial burden, mitigate disability, and improve quality of life.