Cancer treatment-induced bone loss in patients with breast or prostate cancer.
OBJECTIVE
To review the prevalence, consequences, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer treatment-induced bone loss (CTIBL) in patients with breast or prostate cancer.


METHODS
Published articles, abstracts, book chapters, electronic resources, and manufacturer information.


RESULTS
CTIBL is a long-term complication associated with cancer therapies that cause hypogonadism in patients with breast or prostate cancer. Early diagnosis and treatment of CTIBL is essential to prevent bone fractures. CTIBL treatment includes modification of lifestyles that increase the risk of developing bone loss and fractures and includes the use of bone loss therapies (e.g., bisphosphonates, selective estrogen receptor modifiers, calcitonin).


CONCLUSIONS
CTIBL is becoming more common as patients with breast or prostate cancer survive longer. Identifying and treating CTIBL early are important because once bone is lost, damaged bone becomes more difficult to repair; early diagnosis and treatment also may prevent fractures.


CONCLUSIONS
Nurses must be knowledgeable about CTIBL to identify high-risk patients and educate patients and their families about CTIBL, bone loss therapies, and lifestyle modifications.
Maxwell
Cathy
C
Oncology Hematology Group of South Florida, Miami, USA. cmaxwell@ohgsf.com
Viale
Pamela Hallquist
PH
D001862:Bone Resorption / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005598:Fractures, Spontaneous / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*