Prevention of bone metastases and management of bone health in early breast cancer

Breast Cancer Res. 2010;12(6):216. doi: 10.1186/bcr2768. Epub 2010 Dec 17.

Abstract

Treatment options for women with early-stage breast cancer have never been better, and the addition of bisphosphonates to adjuvant therapy is a valuable new tool capable of substantially improving clinical outcomes for these women. Several recent studies demonstrated that the anticancer activity of bisphosphonates is not limited to bone, and can translate into a reduction in disease recurrence, including reductions in locoregional and distant metastases. In addition, bisphosphonates maintain bone health during adjuvant therapy; this may be especially important for women who are at high risk for fracture.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Bone Density Conservation Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Bone Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Bone Neoplasms / prevention & control*
  • Bone Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Bone and Bones / drug effects*
  • Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Chemotherapy, Adjuvant
  • Diphosphonates / pharmacology
  • Diphosphonates / therapeutic use*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Bone Density Conservation Agents
  • Diphosphonates