Bone metastasis is suspected when a patient with lung cancer has new and persistent bone pain.
Needle biopsy may be indicated. Persistent bone pain may also be seen in some patients with non-small cell lung cancer who do not have bone metastases. This pain goes away almost immediately if the tumor can be removed surgically or treated with radiation therapy. Radiation therapy is usually effective in relieving pain caused by bone metastases. In some cases the involved bone must be stabilized by orthopedic surgery to allow proper functionand to prevent pathologic fracture.