A prospective evaluation of the relationship between bone mineral density and breast cancer.
9 Background: Osteoporosis and breast cancer (BC) are each mediated by circulating estrogens. Insulin and insulin growth factors 1-2 have been linked to increased bone mineral density (BMD) and BC cell growth. The relationship between BMD and BC incidence has been analyzed in a number of retrospective studies with conflicting results. We have previously reported on a study of BC risk in 15,268 women who underwent BMD testing. Women in the highest Z-score tertile at the femoral neck had a higher risk of developing BC compared to those in the lowest tertile (OR 2.15, p = 0.004). The current study was undertaken in order to determine whether there is a direct correlation between BMD and BC when evaluated prospectively. Methods: This case-control study is planned to include 400 consecutive patients (pts) with newly diagnosed BC and 800 matched controls without BC. Pts and controls undergo BMD examination using dual photon technology. Serum is obtained for vitamin D, calcium, and a panel of bone turnover markers and cytokines. Pts and controls are interviewed and a questionnaire about BC and osteoporosis risk factors is completed. Results: We present clinical and BMD data from the first 200 BC patients recruited to the study. Median age 60, interquartile range 49.5-66. Body Mass Index: 28.4 ± 5.4 (mean ± SD). Postmenopausal: 148 patients, 74%. T-scores (mean ± SD): femoral neck: -0.68 ±-1.10, total hip: -0.28 ± 1.17, L1-L4: -0.52 ± 1.39. T-score of less than minus 2.5 (cut-off for osteoporosis) at any of the 3 sites, 24 (11.9 %) pts. Estrogen receptor pos: 162 (81%).BC stage: T0-T2, 175 (87.5 %). N0: 108 (54.5%), N1-2-3: 86 (43.4%). % pts node pos (N1-2-3) in each T score range: ≤ -2.5, 20%; -2.5 < T score ≤ -1,36%; -1 < T-score ≤+ 1,50%; +1 < T-score, 60%. % pts low grade in each T score range: ≤ -2.5, 25%;-2.5 < T-score ≤ -1,35%;-1 < T-score ≤ +1,37 % ;+1 < T-score, 20%. Conclusions: Only 11.9% of the first 200 BC patients studied had osteoporosis by BMD at diagnosis.Pts with higher BMD showed a trend for more nodal involvement. Pts with T-score > +1 had fewer cases of low grade histology compared to pts with lower T-scores. These preliminary results hint that higher BMD may be associated with more aggressive BC.