BMJ  2003;327 (30 August), doi:10.1136/bmj.327.7413.0

Bisphosphonates reduce skeletal morbidity in cancer patients

In patients with metastatic bone disease bisphosphonates reduce skeletal morbidity and increase the time to first skeletal related event. In a systematic review of 30 randomised controlled trials, Ross and colleagues (p 469) found that bisphosphonates significantly decrease the risk of vertebral fractures, non-vertebral fractures, radiotherapy, and hypercalcaemia but not orthopaedic surgery or spinal cord compression. They also delay the time to first skeletal related event, suggesting that bisphosphonates should be started when bone metastases are diagnosed.


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Relevant Article

Systematic review of role of bisphosphonates on skeletal morbidity in metastatic cancer
J R Ross, Y Saunders, P M Edmonds, S Patel, K E Broadley, and S R D Johnston
BMJ 2003 327: 469. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]




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