title: Bisphosphonates for breast cancer: questions answered, questions remaining.
abstract: Bone is an important organ that is essential to adult hematopoiesis, electrolyte balance, and locomotion. Individuals who have metastatic breast cancer involving the bone are at increased risk for skeletal complications and those who have a history of early-stage breast cancer may be at increased risk for fragility fractures. Maintaining bone integrity is critical to control the morbidity and mortality associated with fractures and other skeletal complications. The bisphosphonates have been shown to be efficacious in decreasing the risk for skeletal complications in cancer and in osteoporosis. The article reviews the use of bisphosphonates in patients who have breast cancer.
authors.affiliation: Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0848, USA.
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Layman
authors.forename: Karin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Olson
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Van Poznak
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001857:Bone Matrix / Q000378:metabolism; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D001862:Bone Resorption / Q000378:metabolism*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004164:Diphosphonates / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents; D004164:Diphosphonates