Breast Cancer Research

official impact factor 5.79
Search for
Advanced search
Breast Cancer Research
Tools
Review

The role of bisphosphonates in breast cancer: The present and future role of bisphosphonates in the management of patients with breast cancer

Janet E Brown and Robert E Coleman*

Author Affiliations

Yorkshire Cancer Research Academic Unit of Clinical Oncology, Cancer Research Centre, Weston Park Hospital, Sheffield, UK

For all author emails, please log on.

Breast Cancer Res 2002, 4:24-29 doi:10.1186/bcr413

Published: 26 November 2001

Abstract

At least 25% of patients with breast cancer develop skeletal metastases, with bone the site of disease producing the greatest morbidity. It is apparent that the bisphosphonates present an important component of the treatment strategy. They are now the treatment of choice in tumour-induced hypercalcaemia, and they can reduce bone pain and skeletal complications such as pathological fractures. In addition, bisphosphonates are being increasingly evaluated in the prevention of bone metastases and to prevent and treat cancer therapy-induced osteoporosis. Ongoing research is aimed at trying to define the optimum route, dose, schedule and type of bisphosphonate.

Keywords:
bisphosphonates; breast cancer; cancer-induced bone disease