Bone cancer. Coloured magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of a sagittal (side) view through the back of a 57-year-old male patient with secondary bone cancer. The vertebrae affected are highlighted yellow. The spinal cord is on the right of the vertebrae. The cancer has spread (metastasised) from a primary cancer in the lung. Spread of cancer to the spine is common. The prognosis is very poor. Treatments are aimed at preserving function and quality of life. Drugs (steroids) and radiotherapy are used.