This supplement was conceived of and fully funded by Amgen, and Amgen provided background direction for the articles.
This supplement and associated publication costs were funded by Amgen
Bone complications in cancer patients occur from the direct effects of primary tumors in bone, as well as from metastasis to bone and through the effects of cancer-related treatments and conditions. The four papers presented here review the processes involved in bone biology and bone remodeling; bone complications in breast and prostate cancer patients; the mechanisms and types of metastasis to bone from solid organ tumors, and the risk factors and burdens of skeletal-related metastases; and bone disease in multiple myeloma.
Over 40 million men and women in the United States have osteoporosis and low bone mineral density (BMD), placing them at risk for adverse skeletal events such as fractures and their sequelae. There are over 12 million cancer survivors in this country.
Bone renewal is essential for bone strength. During childhood and early adulthood, bone formation prevails over bone resorption, as bones increase in size and strength. Peak bone mass is achieved during the third decade in life, with a higher peak bone mass being protective against osteoporosis later in life.
Despite the significant progress that has occurred in recent decades in the treatment of many advanced malignancies, skeletal morbidity remains a major problem for patients affected by cancers that metastasize to or grow primarily within bone.
More than 50% of patients with advanced breast or prostate cancer have identifiable bone metastasis, and 30% to 40% of patients with non–small-cell lung cancer ultimately develop metastases to bone. Most tumors preferentially metastasize to the axial skeleton, targeting the vertebrae, pelvis, proximal ends of long bones, and skull.
