Bone metastasis as the first symptom of tumors: role of an immunohistochemistry study in establishing primary tumor.

Objectives: To determine the role of immunohistochemistry in identifying the primary site of tumors, and in establishing which bones are most frequently involved, their relationship with the primary tumor site, and the rate of pathologic bone fracture as the first symptom of a malignant tumor.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of all medical records on bone metastases the cases treated between January 2006 and December 2011 at the Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology was performed.

Results: Immunohistochemistry correctly determined the primary tumor site in 61.