Effectiveness of bisphosphonates on bone pain and quality of life in breast cancer patients with metastatic bone disease: a review.
BACKGROUND
Almost all patients with breast cancer and bone metastases suffer bone pain. Many receive bisphosphonate therapy only when the pain becomes unbearable or there is a direct threat of skeletal complications.


CONCLUSIONS
However, clinical trial data demonstrate that bisphosphonates offer significant and sustained relief from bone pain and can also improve quality of life in patients with metastatic breast cancer.


CONCLUSIONS
Moreover, new treatment schedules using high dose bisphosphonates can offer rapid relief of acute, severe bone pain.
Diel
Ingo J
IJ
Institute for Gynecological Oncology, Mannheim, Germany. ingo.diel@cgg-mannheim.de.|CGG-Klinik GmbH, Quadrat P7 16-18, 68161, Mannheim, Germany. ingo.diel@cgg-mannheim.de.
D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001847:Bone Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004164:Diphosphonates / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents; D004164:Diphosphonates