Prostate Cancer Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Prostate Cancer, including details on symptoms, genetics, screening, treatment, information.

Prostate cancer metastases to bone: pathophysiology, pain management, and the promise of targeted therapy.

Pinski J, Dorff TB

Division of Medical Oncology, USC/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California, 1441 Eastlake Avenue, Suite 3334, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA. pinski_j@ccnt.hsc.usc.edu

Bone metastases are a significant cause of pain and morbidity in prostate cancer, especially if they lead to complications such as pathological fractures and spinal cord compression. Palliation of pain can be achieved with radiation, radioisotopes, hormone therapy, chemotherapy, and bisphosphonates. Bisphosphonates also reduce the risk of skeletal complications. Studies with animal models and advances in understanding the molecular basis for bone metastases have yielded new targets for therapy. Some of the promising therapeutic trials are reviewed in this paper.

Published 5 April 2005 in Eur J Cancer, 41(6): 932-40.
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