What Are Bone Metastases?
Bone metastases (muh-TASS-tuh-sees), sometimes referred to as bone "mets," form when cancer cells break away from the main tumor and travel by way of the bloodstream. These cancer cells settle in bones and begin to multiply. Cancer that spreads from a tumor to a bone is called a bone metastasis.

• The bones in the spine are the ones most often affected by bone metastases
• Other commonly affected bones include the pelvis, hip, upper leg bones, ribs, and the skull bones

Bone Metastasis Can Occur With Any Type of Cancer
Cancers that commonly spread to bones include:

• Breast cancer
• Lung cancer (can also spread to the bones of the hands and feet)
• Prostate cancer
• Thyroid cancer
• Kidney cancer/Renal cell cancer
  (bone metastases can occur up to 10 years or more after treatment)

Many other types of cancer can spread to the bone, including bladder cancer, uterine cancer, stomach cancer, colon cancer, rectal cancer and gastrointestinal tumors.

Read more about bone metastasis symptoms.

NEXT: Cancer & Bone Metastases—Symptoms