Longitudinal assessment of bone loss from diagnostic computed tomography scans in gynecologic cancer patients treated with chemotherapy and radiation.

Abstract

The objective of the study was to measure the volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD) using diagnostic computed tomography scans in gynecologic oncology patients. In a retrospective study, spine and femoral neck (FN) vBMD was measured for 1 year in 40 patients receiving chemotherapy or radiation. There is significant bone loss after chemotherapy, radiation, and a combination of radiation and chemotherapy (P = .0211). In 1 year, the percent reduction in vBMD (±SE) at L1-L2 spine and the FN was a 15.9% (±5.67) and 10.4% (±4.06) in chemotherapy; 11% (±5.68) and 15.8% (±2.56) in radiation; and 21.0% (±7.03) and 3.6% (±3.3.7) in the combined therapy group. Bone loss was evident immediately after treatment and persisted or worsened in most women. Gynecologic cancer patients treated with chemotherapy or radiation experience immediate and prolonged bone loss; thus, pre- and posttreatment monitoring of bone loss is important in these patients.