Management of Bone Disease in Patients Undergoing Hormonal Therapy for Breast Cancer

Estrogen deficiency at menopause is associated with increased risk of bone loss and osteoporosis. Aromatase inhibitors (AIs) are increasingly being used for the treatment of postmenopausal hormone-sensitive breast cancer because of better disease-free survival compared with tamoxifen seen in clinical trials with AIs. This article reviews the effect of endocrine therapies of breast cancer on bone and the management of bone disease with these endocrine therapies. The effect of these therapies on bone mineral density and bone turnover along with possible interventions is discussed. AIs are also associated with skeletal-related events, which are not discussed.