Bone Abstracts

Objectives: Abnormal bone mass is one of the late effects which might affect childhood cancer survivors in their later life. There are a lot of studies assessing bone deficits in patients with blood cancer, however there is little research conducted on solid cancer survivors. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of low bone mass in analyzed group and to assess the influence of time after the end of treatment.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a cohort of 19 patients after anticancer treatment (ten girls, nine boys) treated for solid tumors (Wilms tumor, soft tissue sarcoma, germ cell tumor and neuroblastoma) in 1985–2004 in north-eastern region of Poland. Bone mineral density was determined using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) at two time points after completion of treatment: 1 – from 1–5 years (mean age; 10.42±3.56 years), 2 – above 5 years (mean age: 15.58±3.58 years). z-scores below 2.0 S.D. were referred to as low bone mass, in keeping with the reference population and current practice guidelines (ISCD). Statistical analysis was performed using Wilcoxon rank sum test.

Results: Low bone mass was found in six patients (31%) at the first time point and two patients (10%) in the second study. Analysis for paired observations did not show any significant differences in time for bone mineral composition, Total bone mineral density and Lumbar spine bone mineral density (1.421±0.39 vs 0.307±0.63; −0.913±1.55 vs −0.296±0.93; −0.257±1.65 vs −0.628±1.15, P<0.05 respectively). There were no clinically significant fractures among patients with low bone mass.

Conclusion: Childhood solid cancer survivors demonstrate bone deficits especially less than 5 years after end of treatment. However, this specific group requires longitudinal multi-centers investigation to assess the pattern of peak bone mass achievement and the risk of future bone loss.

Disclosure: The authors declared no competing interests.