Pathological Fracture Oncology

Pathological fractures are broken bones that occur due to disease rather than from an injury. In musculoskeletal oncology, these fractures commonly happen in patients with bone tumors or cancers that have spread to the bones, weakening them. When cancer affects bone structure, even minor falls or normal activities can result in fractures. Understanding these fractures is crucial for treatment planning, as they may signal the need for interventions like surgery or radiation to stabilize the bone and manage the underlying disease, helping improve the patient’s quality of life and recovery.