The biochemical markers of bone remodeling reflect the rates of bone resorption and bone formation in the whole body rather than in segments of the skeleton. The markers cannot be used for a diagnosis of bone disease. However, they are a valuable tool in the differential diagnosis, in the assessment of fracture risk independent of bone mineral density and, in the monitoring treatments of metabolic and neoplastic bone diseases as well as the side effects of some drugs on bone (e.g., adjuvant treatment with selective inhibitors of aromatase). This review provides characteristics of the markers currently used to assess neoplastic bone diseases and, their clinical values for stratification and monitoring treatments. Currently used markers provide sufficient specificity. However, their sensitivities under various clinical situations have to be respected. The clinical utility of the markers requires their standardization and availability

        Key words: bone, metastasis, multiple myeloma, osteoporosis, markers, monitoring.