Breast cancer cells can spread to the bone and weaken and damage the bone cells. As well as increasing your risk of a bone fracture (broken bone) and oesteoporosis, this can cause bone pain.
There are two types of medications that can be used to strengthen bone and treat bone pain:
- Bisphosphonates (Zometa, Bondronat) - given intravenously or as oral tablets
- Biologic agents (Xgeva) - given as a monthly injection under the skin
Women with secondary breast cancer may take bisphosphonates or Xgeva to:
- treat bone pain
- prevent bone fractures
- reduce the need for radiotherapy treatment of the bone cancer
- maintain calcium levels in the blood
Side effects
Side effects of bisphosphonates and Xgeva can include:
- diarrhoea
- flu-like symptoms
- nausea
- hypocalcaemia (low levels of calcium)
There is also a very low risk of osteonecrosis (bone loss) of the jaw (ONJ).
More information
- Read an article about bone metastases in the Autumn 2013 edition of The Inside Story (Issue 28)
- Read an article about bisphosphonates in the Winter 2008 edition of The Inside Story (Issue 9)
- Read an article about Xgeva in the Summer 2001 edition of The Inside Story (Issue 23)
- Download a resource sheet to learn where to find out more about bisphosphonates
