PILOT-STUDY OF BONE-MINERAL DENSITY IN BREAST-CANCER PATIENTS TREATEDWITH ADJUVANT CHEMOTHERAPY

The objective of this class-sectional study was to determined lumbar s pine bone mineral density (BMD) in breast cancer patients previously t reated with adjuvant chemotherapy. Sixteen of 27 patients who received adjuvant chemotherapy became permanently amenorrheic as a result of c hemotherapy. BMD was measured at the lumbar spine using dual energy X- ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Chemotherapy drugs and dosages along with a history of risk factors for reduced bone density including activity l evel, tobacco and/or alcohol use, metabolic bone disease. family histo ry, mid hormone exposure were identified. Results showed that women wh o became permanently amenorrheic as a result of chemotherapy had BMD 1 4% lower than women who maintained menses after chemotherapy. Chemothe rapy-treated women who maintained ovarian function had normal BMD. Thi s study suggests that women who have premature menopause as a result o f chemotherapy for breast cancer are at increased risk of bone loss an d may be at risk for early development of osteoporosis. Women who main tain menses do not appear to be at risk for accelerated trabecular bon e loss.