[Bone mineral density in children before and after completion of cancer treatment]

This study was performed to determine the degree of osteopenia in children with malignancy before and after completion of treatment. Twenty six subjects (17 male, 9 female) treated for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (n=15), lymphogranulomatosis maligna (n=7) or solid tumor (n=4) at a mean age 9.34 (range 3-17.41 years) before and 15.85 (range 9.66-23) after treatment participated in this longitudinal study. Mean follow up period after discontinuation of therapy was 5.5 years (range 2.6-8.3 years). Interview (estimation of physical activity, other chronic disease, and fractures), anthropometric measurements of body mass and height, body mass index (BMI), bone mineral density total (BMD Total) and spine (BMD Spine) were obtained from every child. Gained findings were compared to the same parameters in the group of 473 healthy children, comparable in age and gender with examined group and showed as SD score. There were no differences in BMI and BMD Total and Spine between patients and controls. No correlation was found between the BMD values and the diagnosis, age at diagnosis, gender and cranial irradiation and duration of follow-up. BMD Spine SD score was significantly increased in a subgroup of patients in pubertal stage at diagnosis as compared to patients in prepubertal stage. Further studies are needed to evaluate the long-term effect on BMD in patients with cancer and how to prevent a decrease of BMD.