Diagnosing bone pain in cancer patients involves a comprehensive approach. Physicians often start with a detailed medical history and physical examination to understand the nature and location of the pain. Imaging studies such as X-rays, CT scans, MRI, and bone scans are commonly used to visualize the bones and detect any abnormalities or metastases.
Blood tests may also be conducted to check for elevated levels of calcium or other markers that indicate bone degradation. In some cases, a bone biopsy might be necessary to confirm the presence of cancer cells in the bone tissue.