Results of long-term use of zoledronic acid in a patient with breast cancer

Breast cancer is the most common type of malignant disease in women. In most cases, his treatment, in addition to surgery, includes long-term use of antiestrogenic drugs that have a negative effect on bone tissue. To prevent bone loss, as well as to prevent bone metastasis, such patients are prescribed antiresorptive therapy with bisphosphonates (BP). However, there is a danger that prolonged suppression of bone remodeling processes can lead to serious complications, one of which is an atypical hip fracture. The presented clinical case describes this undesirable phenomenon in a woman with breast cancer who has been on aromatase inhibitor and BP therapy for a long time. The complex treatment, including polychemotherapy, radiation therapy, and adjuvant therapy, made it possible to achieve remission and a long relapse-free period, and the administration of zoledronic acid prevented the loss of (bone mineral density) BMD that could occur while taking letrozole. However, such prolonged use of the antiresorptive drug led to the occurrence of an atypical hip fracture followed by arthroplasty, which once again confirmed the lack of justification for long-term use of CF in a woman receiving an aromatase inhibitor. The article demonstrates the importance of careful regular monitoring of such patients, where the decision on the expediency of continuing their antiresorptive therapy should be made individually, taking into account all factors of potential risk and benefit.

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