OSTEOBLAST FUNCTION AND OSTEOMALACIA IN METASTATIC PROSTATE-CANCER

This study has examined the effect of prostate cancer on bone matrix f ormation and mineralisation by osteoblasts, with special reference to osteomalacia. Sixty-seven patients with prostatic bone metastases unde rwent transiliac bone biopsy after double tetracycline labelling. Hist omorphometric analysis was then undertaken in areas distant from, loca l to and infiltrated by prostate cancer. In bone free of tumour (n = 4 5) and bone surrounding metastases (n = 7) both matrix formation and c orrected mineral apposition rate were low. By comparison osteoid surfa ce, osteoid volume and mineral apposition rate were markedly increased within metastases (tumor-free bone vs. metastatic bone, p < 0.0001), a finding consistent with a high bone turnover state. Although osteobl ast function was disturbed both within metastases and in tumour-free a reas, classical osteomalacia was not associated with prostate cancer.