Premium
Pathogenesis of bone metastasis: a review
Author(s) -
Raubenheimer E. J.,
Noffke C. E. E.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
journal of oral pathology and medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.887
H-Index - 83
eISSN - 1600-0714
pISSN - 0904-2512
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0714.2006.00360.x
Subject(s) - pathogenesis , metastasis , bone metastasis , extracellular matrix , pathology , osteopenia , medicine , biology , cancer research , cancer , osteoporosis , microbiology and biotechnology , bone mineral
Background: Metastasic deposits from malignancies frequently lodge in the skeleton, including the jawbones. Method: A review of the literature was performed in order to provide a coherent overview on the pathogenesis of bone metastasis. Results: Bone metastasis follows complex molecular interactions that enable tumor cells to detach from the primary site, invade the extracellular matrix, intravasate, extravasate, and proliferate within bone. They induce local bone changes that could manifest radiologically as either osteolytic or radiodense. In addition to the direct bone changes, malignancies can elaborate mediators that are released in circulation, leading to generalized osteopenia. Conclusions: The spread of malignant neoplasms to bone is not a random process but rather a cascade of specific molecular events orchestrated through complex interactions between neoplastic cells and their environment.