Trial Information

Bone Geometry and Muscle Density Changes in Postmenopausal Women and Breast Cancer Patients Prescribed Anastrozole

In bone, where estrogen is required to maintain density, there is indication of increased
turnover in patients prescribed Aromatase Inhibitors. However, there are no studies to date
that prospectively quantify the impact of Aromatase inhibitors on bone quality.
Furthermore, the actual effects and clinical significance of adjuvant chemotherapy and
supportive medications on bone quality in women with breast carcinoma is unknown. The
current study proposes to prospectively assess novel skeletal health outcomes, namely
trabecular structure (connectivity, hole size) and bone geometry (bone area, cortical
thickness) among women with breast cancer being treated with Anastrozole. Not only will
the current study provide a better understanding of the changes in bone quality and muscle
mass after Anastrozole treatment, it will provide important information about the
development of secondary skeletal complications in this population. Therefore, the
potential to collect data prospectively from a cohort of individuals with breast cancer
being treated with Anastrozole represents an important step to advance knowledge in this
area. Also, by examining bone quality and secondary complications in a diverse cohort of
patients who vary with respect to radiation therapy, chemotherapy and additional
medications, we can begin to identify patterns of musculoskeletal change and predictors of
these changes.