Bones can sometimes be weakened by secondary cancers in them. If this happens they can be strengthened or repaired.

Weak thigh or arm bones

Sometimes an x-ray shows that a secondary cancer has weakened a long bone such as the thigh bone (femur) or upper arm bone (humerus). If there is a risk of the bone breaking, you may need an operation to prevent this from happening.

The operation is carried out under a general anaesthetic. A metal pin or a locking nail (a nail with screws at each end) is put down the middle of the weakened bone. This secures and strengthens the bone, holding it firm so that it will not break. The pin or nail can stay in permanently, to continually protect the bone. Whether this operation is appropriate for you will depend on which bone is affected by your secondary cancer.

Sometimes the weakness caused by the secondary bone cancer leads to a crack or a fracture in the bone before a strengthening operation has been done. If this happens, it may be possible to mend the bone by using the operation described above.

You may need to stay in hospital for up to a couple of weeks after the operation to recover fully, but most people are able to start walking a couple of days after surgery. A physiotherapist may give you exercises to do, to help you move your leg more easily.

Weak hip or shoulder joints

If secondary cancer has caused a lot of damage to a hip or shoulder joint then it may be necessary to have an operation to replace the joint. You will need to stay in hospital for around three to five days and will need physiotherapy afterwards to help you get used to the new joint.

You may have radiotherapy before and/or after your operation to try to destroy any cancer cells left in the area and help the bone to repair itself.