Clodronate for treatment of bone metastases in hormone refractory prostate cancer
Int. braz. j. urol
;
29(3): 228-233, May-Jun. 2003. tab
Article
in English
| LILACS
| ID: lil-364664
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Approximately 85 percent of patients who die from prostate cancer have bone metastases. Even though the radiological aspect of such metastases is osteoblastic, we currently know that these lesions are mixed, with coexisting blastic and lytic lesions, always beginning with bone lysis by osteoclast proliferation. Treatment options are palliative and have poor response, and when there is an improvement it is usually short-lived. This work intends to study the effect of clodronate in the treatment of skeletal complications of prostate cancer. MATERIALS ANDMETHODS:
In an open prospective study 32 patients with hormone refractory prostate cancer with metastases to bones were assessed, in the period between November 2000 and September 2002. Mean age was 69 years (51 to 83 years). Patients were previously assessed by a pain scale and Karnofsky index. They underwent bone scintigraphy, X-ray, dosage of prostate specific antigen (PSA) and biochemical tests before and following treatment (administration of intravenous clodronate every 28 days). The Student's t-test was used for statistical analysis.RESULTS:
Twenty-nine patients (90.6 percent) showed improvement after the first and the 2nd cycles, which persisted for at least 4 months. Average on the pain scale improved from 7.7 to 2.1 and Karnofsky index raised from 42 to 71. Radiological aspect of the metastases improved in 15 patients (46.8 percent) and side effects were low (only 2 patients - 6.2 percent).CONCLUSION:
Bisphosphonate was effective in the treatment of skeletal complications of prostate cancer, presenting an objective response in 90.6 percent of treated patients, with a marked improvement in the pain scale, Karnofsky index and consequently in the quality of life of patients, and with low side effects.
Full text:
Available
Index:
LILACS (Americas)
Type of study:
Observational study
Language:
English
Journal:
Int. braz. j. urol
Journal subject:
Urology
Year:
2003
Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Brazil
Institution/Affiliation country:
Portuguese Beneficence Hospital/BR
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