Metastatic Bone Disease: Fundamental and Clinical Aspects is an expanded version of a workshop on bone metastases which was held in Heidelberg, Germany, in April 1993. Bone metastases very often develop from malignant tumors and lead to complications which considerably diminish the quality of life of the patient. Bone pain, pathological fractures, and hypercalcemic syndrome should be recognized and treated early so as to prevent any further morbidity and immobilization. Antiosteolytic substances such as biophosphonate can supplement the established palliative and supportive therapies. Highly qualified basic researchers and clinicians in pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of metastatic bone disease have contributed to this book, providing a good overview of present knowledge and research. The book will be of interest not only to specialists, but also to any physician interested in oncology.

Historical Remarks on Metastasis and Metastatic Bone Disease

Nature of Metastatic Bone Disease
Incidence and Distribution of Bone Metastases
Detection and Characterization of Tumor Cells in Bone Marrow of Patients with Primary Breast Cancer
Normal Bone Remodeling and Metastatic Bone Disease
Morphological Findings in Bone Metastasis, Tumorosteopathy and Antiosteolytic Therapy
Mechanisms of Osteolytic Bone Destruction
Diagnosis of Skeletal Metastases and Assessment of Response to Treatment
Biochemical Markers of Bone Metabolism in Metastatic Bone Disease
Palliative Radiotherapy of Bone Metastases
Systemic Treatment of Bone Metastases: Review of Literature and Retrospective Analysis of 718 Breast Cancer Patients
Bisphosphonates: Mechanism of Action and Clinical Use in Hypercalcemia of Malignancy and Tumor-Induced Bone Destruction
Clodronate Decreases Skeletal Morbidity in Patients with Bone Metastases from Breast Cancer: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial.