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Does long-term administration of tamoxifen affect bone mineral density?
A J Neal1, K Evans, P J Hoskin
1Royal Marsden Hospital, Sutton, Surrey, U.K.
European Journal of Cancer (Oxford, England : 1990)
|January 1, 1993
Summary
Long-term tamoxifen use for breast cancer did not harm bone mineral density (BMD). This study found no detrimental effects on BMD, with a trend towards improvement at the femoral neck.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Endocrinology
- Bone Metabolism
Background:
- Tamoxifen is a widely used adjuvant therapy for breast cancer.
- Concerns exist regarding the long-term effects of tamoxifen on bone mineral density (BMD).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the long-term impact (≥5 years) of tamoxifen on BMD in breast cancer patients.
- To compare BMD in patients receiving long-term tamoxifen with a matched control group.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study design.
- 19 breast cancer patients on adjuvant tamoxifen (≥5 years) were matched with 19 controls.
- Bone mineral density (BMD) measured at the femoral neck, lumbar spine, and total body using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA).
Main Results:
- No detrimental effect on BMD was observed at any measured site (femoral neck, lumbar spine, total body).
- A trend towards increased BMD at the femoral neck was noted in the tamoxifen group.
- Minor decreases in serum calcium, phosphate, and alkaline phosphatase were observed.
Conclusions:
- Long-term administration of tamoxifen (≥5 years) does not appear to be detrimental to bone mineral density in breast cancer patients.
- The findings suggest that tamoxifen may not negatively impact bone health over extended periods.
- Further research could explore the trend of increased femoral neck BMD.