[Therapy of complications due to neoplasm metastases].

Many tumors, especially when metastasizing, produce a variety of symptoms. Two frequent sets of complications due to metastasizing cancer (mainly to the bones), i.e. vertebral metastases and chronic pain, are reviewed. In the case of vertebral metastases, the fitting of an orthopedic corset should--and as a rule can--be avoided. Treatment of this complication is by systemic therapy and/or radiotherapy. Symptoms or signs of medullary compression are indications for emergency treatment by the radiotherapist or the neurosurgeon. In the case of chronic pain, regular oral intake of the Brompton mixture is an alternative to injections of analgesics in that it prevents rather than alleviates pain and is only slightly addiction-forming.