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Updated: Jul 14, 2026

Models of Bone Metastasis
Published on: September 4, 2012
Bisphosphonates for breast cancer: questions answered, questions remaining
Rachel Layman1, Karin Olson, Catherine Van Poznak
1Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0848, USA.
Abstract:
Bone is an important organ that is essential to adult hematopoiesis, electrolyte balance, and locomotion. Individuals who have metastatic breast cancer involving the bone are at increased risk for skeletal complications and those who have a history of early-stage breast cancer may be at increased risk for fragility fractures. Maintaining bone integrity is critical to control the morbidity and mortality associated with fractures and other skeletal complications. The bisphosphonates have been shown to be efficacious in decreasing the risk for skeletal complications in cancer and in osteoporosis. The article reviews the use of bisphosphonates in patients who have breast cancer.
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