Osteoporosis is defined as a continuous loss of bone mineral density accompanied by an increased fracture risk in females and males.
A fall of estrogen concentrations at the menopause and the consecutive rapid bone loss are an established pathogenic mechanism in female osteoporosis. Males do not have a menopause equivalent during which significant amounts of bone are lost. Several diseases, therapeutic strategies and nutritional deficiencies may also result in bone loss and reduced bone mineral density. Prostate cancer is the most common visceral malignancy in men. Suppression of endogenous androgen production as a therapeutic tool is commonly used in patients with non-metastatic prostate cancer and is associated with significant bone loss and an increased fracture risk.Androgen deprivation therapy is prescribed both for men with locally advanced or high-risk non-metastatic prostate cancer. Osteoclast inhibition with any of several bisphosphonates improves bone mineral density and reduces fracture risk. Denosumab (a monoclonal antibody against RANK ligand) and toremifene (a selective estrogen receptor modulator) recently have been shown to be effective to reduce vertebral fractures in patients with non-metastatic prostate cancer receiving androgen-deprivation therapy. This overview focuses on cancer-treatment-induced bone loss in patients with non-metastatic prostate cancer.
Written by:
Kudlacek S, Puntus T. Are you the author?
Lehrkrankenhaus der Barmherzigen Brüder, Medizinische Abteilung, Johannes von Gott Platz 1, 1020, Wien, Österreich.
Reference: Wien Med Wochenschr. 2012 Aug 9. Epub ahead of print.
doi: 10.1007/s10354-012-0106-z
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 22875632
Article in German.
UroToday.com Prostate Cancer Section
