Bone Health During Cancer Treatment. By Wish Dhillon, MD

Bone Health During Cancer Treatment.
Wish Dhillon, MD

Bone Health is an important but often under-appreciated component of well being during cancer treatment.

Many cancers affect the bones directly by causing metastasis. For example, patients with Multiple Myeloma can develop areas of bone destruction. Similarly, Prostate cancer and Breast cancer cells can colonize the bones, leading to adverse effects including pain and fractures.

Some cancer treatments can adversely affect bone health. Women with breast cancer and men with prostate cancer are particularly susceptible to bone loss. One example is Aromatase Inhibitors, a class of drugs that decrease the recurrence of breast cancer by suppressing the production of estrogen. Since estrogen is vital to bone health, the loss of bone density caused by Aromatase Inhibitors can cause Osteopenia and Osteoporosis.

Exercise and diet play an important role in maintaining bone health. Calcium and Vitamin D are essential nutrients for maintaining healthy bones. Deficiency of Calcium and Vitamin D, low body weight, age, female gender, lack of exercise and family history of osteoporosis are risk factors for osteoporosis. Fortunately, drugs that inhibit resorption of bones are available for use in patients with cancer. Bisphosphonates and Denosumab are commonly prescribed to prevent pain, fractures, and loss of bone density in patients with cancer. Treatment should be started only after a thorough discussion of risks and benefits with a doctor or medical provider.

The bones represent a vital organ system, like the heart, the nervous system, and the digestive system. Like other organs, the bones are also susceptible to detrimental effects from cancer directly, and from cancer treatments. If you are a cancer survivor or have a loved one with cancer, consider discussing bone health with a medical provider!