ABSTRACT
Metastatic deposits are the commonest malignancy of bone. They arise commonly from tumours of the breast, bronchus, thyroid, prostate and kidney. Less commonly, tumours of the skin (especially melanoma), oesophagus, colon and rectum, stomach and cervix will metastasize to bone: the spine, pelvis, femora, ribs and skull are most often involved. The overall incidence of metastasis in patients with primary tumours is not certain: it is related to the care with which post-mortem examination is carried out. It may be as high as 70-80%. A solitary deposit is present in only 9% of patients.
