Medications, procedures, and surgeries are all options
Bone-strengthening drugs for cancer are now available.
In many cases, they can be used as soon as bone metastases are diagnosed.
That’s because they also have anti-cancer properties.
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This article looks at the new drugs for bone metastases, how they work, and other possible treatments.
Prescriptions
Two primary classes of drugs are used to treat bone metastases.
Bisphosphonates
Bisphosphonates suppress the breakdown of bone, which improves bone density.
They were first used to treat osteoporosis and later noted to help with bone metastases.
Bisphosphonates most commonly used for bone metastases are given intravenously (into a vein).
It’s sold under two brand names, Xgeva and Prolia.
Denosumab is given by injection every four weeks.
With multiple myeloma and other solid tumors, denosumab was about as effective as Zometa.
Denosumab was also found to reduce the risk of treatment-related osteoporosis in breast cancer and prostate cancer.
Long-term use of denosumab is more likely than bisphosphonates to cause a low calcium level.
For this reason, experts often recommend taking calcium andvitamin D supplementsduring treatment.
Some denosumab side effects are delayed while others are likely to happen soon after taking it.
The short-term side effects include:
Unlike bisphosphonates, denosumab is safe for people with impaired kidney function.
Treatment options include a combination of surgery, rinses, antibiotics, and hyperbaric oxygen treatments.
Any dental work you need should be done before starting these drugs.
Surgeries and Specialist-Driven Procedures
Many other options are available for treating bone metastases.
The bisphosphonates Aredia and Zometa and the monoclonal antibody denosumab can reduce the risk of fractures.
Both classes of medications carry a small risk of osteonecrosis of the jaw.
A dental exam is recommended before starting these drugs.
Both bisphosphonates and denosumab appear to have significant anti-cancer activity.
Zometa is also recommended as an add-on treatment for early-stage breast cancer to reduce the chance of bone metastases.
A Word From Verywell
The addition of new drugs to the cancer-fighting arsenal is good news.
They give you and your healthcare team more options and better odds of defeating these diseases.
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