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Open Access 01-12-2009 | Research article

Natural history of malignant bone disease in breast cancer and the use of cumulative mean functions to measure skeletal morbidity

Authors: Pierre P Major, Richard J Cook, Allan Lipton, Matthew R Smith, Evangelos Terpos, Robert E Coleman

Published in: BMC Cancer | Issue 1/2009

Abstract

Background

Bone metastases are a common cause of skeletal morbidity in patients with advanced cancer. The pattern of skeletal morbidity is complex, and the number of skeletal complications is influenced by the duration of survival. Because many patients with cancer die before trial completion, there is a need for survival-adjusted methods to accurately assess the effects of treatment on skeletal morbidity.

Methods

Recently, a survival-adjusted cumulative mean function model has been generated that can provide an intuitive graphic representation of skeletal morbidity throughout a study. This model was applied to the placebo-control arm of a pamidronate study in patients with malignant bone disease from breast cancer.

Results

Analysis by bone lesion location showed that spinal metastases were associated with the highest cumulative mean incidence of skeletal-related events (SREs), followed by chest and pelvic metastases. Metastases located in the extremities were associated with an intermediate incidence of SREs, and those in the skull were associated with the lowest incidence of SREs.

Conclusion

Application of this model to data from the placebo arm of this trial revealed important insight into the natural history of skeletal morbidity in patients with bone metastases. Based on these observations, treatment for the prevention of SREs is warranted regardless of lesion location except for metastases on the skull.

Available only for authorised users

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The pre-publication history for this paper can be accessed here:http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2407/9/272/prepub

Title: Natural history of malignant bone disease in breast cancer and the use of cumulative mean functions to measure skeletal morbidity
Authors: Pierre P Major
Richard J Cook
Allan Lipton
Matthew R Smith
Evangelos Terpos
Robert E Coleman
Publication date: 01-12-2009
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: BMC Cancer / Issue 1/2009
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2407
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2407-9-272

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Abstract

Background

Methods

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Conclusion

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