title: Effects of one-year adjuvant treatment with tamoxifen on bone mineral density in postmenopausal breast cancer women.
abstract: In this study, the authors have analyzed the possible effects of one-year adjuvant treatment with tamoxifen on bone mineral density in postmenopausal breast cancer women. Bone mineral content was studied by photon absorptiometry (I-125), whereas bone balance was analyzed indirectly by serum PTH, osteocalcin, calcitonin, calcium and alkaline phosphatase levels. Bone mineral content and serum bone-related substances were measured before starting treatment and after one year. Results were analyzed using Student's t test for paired data. No difference was found between the two measurements for bone mineral content, PTH, calcitonin, calcium and alkaline phosphatase levels. Measurements at entry and after one year of treatment showed a statistically significant difference (P<0.001) only for osteocalcin. In accordance with other authors, we can conclude that treatment with tamoxifen does not cause an increase in menopausal bone resorption. The finding that osteocalcin levels decreased after one year of therapy with tamoxifen is interesting, but further studies are necessary to clarify the role of such levels in predicting a turnover of bone balance towards osteoblastic activity.
authors.affiliation: Division of Radiation Oncology, San Gerardo Hospital, Monza (Mi), Italy.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Barni
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lissoni
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tancini
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ardizzoia
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cazzaniga
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015519:Bone Density / Q000187:drug effects*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D004965:Estrogen Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010281:Parathyroid Hormone / Q000097:blood; D017698:Postmenopause; D013629:Tamoxifen / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D004965:Estrogen Antagonists; D010281:Parathyroid Hormone; D013629:Tamoxifen