Effect of long term tamoxifen treatment on bone turnover in women with breast cancer

• Published in: BMJ Vol. 306; no. 6875; pp. 429 - 430
• Main Authors: Wright, C D, Mansell, R E, Gazet, J C, Compston, J E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London British Medical Journal Publishing Group 13.02.1993; British Medical Association; BMJ Publishing Group LTD
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Antineoplastic agents; Biological and medical sciences; Biopsies; Bone and Bones - metabolism; Bone Density - drug effects; Bone formation; Bones; Breast cancer; Breast Neoplasms - drug therapy; Breast Neoplasms - metabolism; Chemotherapy; Female; Humans; Medical sciences; Menopause; Middle Aged; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Postmenopause; Surgical specialties; Tamoxifen - metabolism; Tamoxifen - therapeutic use; Antineoplastic agent; Human; Diseases of the osteoarticular system; Antiestrogen; Exploration; Malignant tumor; Long term; Tamoxifene; Mammary gland diseases; Pathology; Chemotherapy; Treatment; Biopsy; Postmenopause; Female; Bone; Iliac crest
• ISSN: 0959-8138; 0959-8146; 1468-5833; 1756-1833
• DOI: 10.1136/bmj.306.6875.429-a

If tamoxifen exerts antioestrogenic effects on bone women receiving long term treatment may be at greater risk of osteoporotic fracture. Densitometry has generally shown no adverse effect of tamoxifen on bone mass in postmenopausal women, although one study reported loss of bone in premenopausal women. Our study provides the first histological data on bone turnover in women receiving long term tamoxifen treatment.