Orthopaedic ailments in metastatic lung cancer – a case study. Specificity of the approach

It is estimated that in advanced cancers bone metastasis affects approximately 35% of patients with lung cancer. Most of them do not relate fractures and other orthopaedic ailments with cancer.

The presented case study showcases the relation between a spontaneous fracture of the right femoral shaft of a patient and lung cancer. The accident happened while the patient was walking with regular load, which activity was unrelated to the injury he suffered. Both medical and psychological examination results, as well as the specificity of the approach to patients with bone metastasis, were presented.

The coexistence of lung cancer with orthopaedic ailments caused by bone metastasis requires a separate, bio-psycho-social approach to diagnosis and treatment of patients, adjusted at the same time to the specificity of orthopaedic and oncological treatment. Such an interdisciplinary approach reduces clinical symptoms and improves the health-related quality of life.