Burden of bone disease.

OBJECTIVES

Malignant bone disease can cause clinically relevant skeletal morbidity that negatively affects quality of life. The prevalence and consequences of skeletal-related events (SREs) resulting from bone metastases, and the effects of bone metastasis therapies will be discussed.

METHODS

The burden of bone disease was researched through PubMed and the proceedings of international oncology meetings.

RESULTS

Malignant bone disease is a potentially devastating condition that is prevalent in patients with advanced cancers. Most patients with bone metastases experience at least 1 SRE, which may reduce survival and add considerably to healthcare costs. Bone pain, the most common source of severe pain in these patients, can often be managed with analgesics or radiotherapy. However, treatment may be difficult because of associated side effects. Bisphosphonates palliate bone pain and can treat the underlying cause of the symptoms: malignant osteolysis. Preventing or delaying the onset of SREs is crucial because patients with an SRE have an increased risk of additional SREs, thereby reducing quality of life.

CONCLUSIONS

Metastatic bone disease is a tremendous burden on patients and society. Supportive therapy with zoledronic acid has shown benefits for patients with bone metastases by delaying the onset and reducing the incidence of SREs, thus preserving patients' quality of life and functional independence.