Michelle Smith, PharmD, BCPS, CPE

Sixty percent to 90% of patients with cancer with bone metastasis develop bone pain. In turn, bone pain can be the first sign that cancer has spread to the bone.

LJ is a 75-year-old patient with advanced breast cancer. She also has a medical history of hypertension and dementia. LJ decided to stop chemotherapy 2 months ago due to severe nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Pain is an important concern for patients with cancer, although not every patient with cancer will experience pain.