Clodronate in the prevention and treatment of skeletal metastasis

Abstract

Many solid tumors, including breast and prostate cancer, metastasize to bone, thereby putting patients at high risk for developing skeletal complications including pathologic fracture, spinal cord compression and debilitating bone pain. Patients often live for many years after developing bone metastasis, a fact that highlights the importance of therapies to reduce morbidity from skeletal complications. Bisphosphonates, including clodronate, have been shown to be useful in reducing skeletal complications in patients with cancer. This review will highlight the role of clodronate for skeletal metastasis.

Keywords::

• bisphosphonate
• bone metastasis
• bone mineral density
• bone pain
• breast cancer
• prostate cancer
• skeletal complications