title: The key role of bisphosphonates in the supportive care of cancer patients.
abstract: The present review aims at providing an assessment of the clinical significance of Biphosphonates (BPs) in the treatment of patients with cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  A systematic literature review was performed based on database search in PubMed/Medline and included articles up to August 2013.
  
  
  RESULTS
  BPs can reduce, delay, and prevent complications related to bone metastases. They improve mobility, functionality, pain, and quality of life. They limit survival of any inactive cancer cells in the microenvironment of the bone marrow, contributing to their death from anti-neoplastic treatments. Moreover, they limit and delay bone morbidity due to osteoporosis related to hormonotherapy in breast and prostate cancer. Finally, benefits can be derived from the combination of BPs with radiotherapy in bone density, recalcification, opioid use, and patient's quality of life and performance status.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The contribution of BPs in the course of certain neoplasms is preventive and synergistic to other treatments.
authors.affiliation: Rimini 1, Haidari, 124 64, Athens, Greece. martolia@med.uoa.gr.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tolia
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zygogianni
authors.forename: John R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Kouvaris
authors.forename: Christos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Meristoudis
authors.forename: Niki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Margari
authors.forename: Petros
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Karakitsos
authors.forename: Ioannis
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kokakis
authors.forename: Dimitrios
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kardamakis
authors.forename: Christos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Papadimitriou
authors.forename: Kyriaki
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mystakidou
authors.forename: Nikolaos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tsoukalas
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kyrgias
authors.forename: Basil
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Armonis
authors.forename: Dimitrios K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Filippiadis
authors.forename: Alexios D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Kelekis
authors.forename: Nikolaos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kelekis
authors.forename: Vasileios
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Kouloulias
mesh_terms: D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000556:secondary; D004164:Diphosphonates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010166:Palliative Care
chemical_list: D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents; D004164:Diphosphonates
keywords: Bisphosphonates; bone metastasis; cancer; prevention; radiotherapy; review