The spread of cancer to the bones is typical for stage IV disease in the case of Biden. Bone metastases are deep and relentless pains that usually occur in the lower back, hips, thighs, pelvis, or spine. In contrast to joint aches, the pain worsens at night or with weight-bearing and may awaken patients. Fractures can easily result from minor falls through weakened bones.
Spinal cord compression, which affects 10 to 12 percent, results in leg weakness, numbness, tingling down the legs, or loss of bowel and bladder control. An emergency like this deserves immediate treatment. Cancer that invades the bone marrow finally causes fatigue because of anemia. Unexplained weight loss, loss of appetite-and nausea signal advanced spread.
Hypercalcemia from bone breakdown adds confusion, excessive thirst, vomiting, and constipation. Biden reported no such problems publicly, probably as a result of prompt hormone therapy shrinking tumors and relieving pressure.
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