The author presents a review on the most frequently encountered sources of malignant secondaries in bones, on their sites and their possible detection. Part of the review deals with the mechanism of deposition of metastatizing elements in bones and explains the basic sources of tumourous osteolysis. Finally the author mentions some recent trends as regards approaches to treatment of bone metastases.

        Key words: bone metastases, osteolysis, osteoapposition, calcitonin, bisphosphonates.