title: The Italian cross-sectional survey of the management of bone metastasis: ZeTa study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Several studies have emphasized the importance of the maintenance of bone health in a comprehensive cancer care. However, no survey about approach to bone metastasis care is currently available. The ZeTa study provides a picture of the Italian oncologists' therapeutics habits in this area, in a real clinical-practice scenario.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study was based on online questionnaire-based interviews to Italian oncologists that included 145 questions. The aim was to collect information on the treatment of bone metastasis, the current use of bisphosphonates, the awareness of guidelines and the concerns about ONJ, the use of vitamin D supplementation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  445 oncologists were contacted, 283 agreed to participate. The results show that the current management of bone metastasis is still sub-optimal, as the recommendations from current clinical guidelines are not completely followed by all specialists.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This survey highlights the urgent need to improve management of bone metastasis in cancer patients.
authors.affiliation: Oncologia Medica, University Campus Biomedico, Roma, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Daniele
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Santini
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bertoldo
authors.affiliation: Oncologia Medica, University Campus Biomedico, Roma, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Emanuela
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dell'Aquila
authors.affiliation: GfK Eurisko, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Isabella
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Cecchini
authors.affiliation: GfK Eurisko, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Stefania
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fregosi
authors.affiliation: GfK Eurisko, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bortolussi
keywords: Bisphosphonate; Bone metastasis; Skeletal-related event; Survey