Other neoplasms involving bone, such as myeloma, also respond to radiation. Regular followup should be provided to offer treatment of new symptoms or the use of other palliative techniques such as radiopharmaceuticals.
Plain radiographs are useful in detecting lyric or plastic lesions from bone metastasis.
Bone scintigraphy, however, is more sensitive than skeletal radiography for the detection of most bone metastasis. In patients who experience bone pain and have normal bone scans, MRI may be a helpful diagnostic tool. Indications for the radiation of bone metastasis include pain relief and the prevention or promotion of healing of pathologic fractures.