Osteoporosis drugs may heighten esophageal cancer risk

Findings of a new study have established a link between consumption of bisphosphonates, a commonly used class of osteoporosis drugs, 

and development of esophagus, the cancer [abnormal cells that divide without control, which can invade nearby tissues or spread through the bloodstream and lymphatic system to other parts of the body. ]  of the gullet.

The study researchers aver that the findings are worrisome since this class of osteoporosis drugs are routinely prescribed to old people for strengthening feeble bones.

Merck & Co's Fosamax, Roche's Boniva, and Novartis's Reclast are all bisphosphonates prescribed to prevent bone fractures and make up for bone weakness linked with menopause and osteoporosis. 

Need to evaluate risks and benefits

However, the results should not prompt doctors or patients to instantaneously stop prescribing or taking bisphosphonates, claim the scientists.

"We have to be concerned, but this is the first large study with long-term follow up that has found this effect, and it is just one observational study," lead author of the study, Jane Green of Oxford University's Cancer Epidemiology Unit, said.

"Also, because esophageal cancer [abnormal cells that divide without control, which can invade nearby tissues or spread through the bloodstream and lymphatic system to other parts of the body. ] is uncommon, even a doubled risk is still a low risk," noted Green.

"It's important to see our findings as part of a wider picture. These are very commonly prescribed drugs and we don't have enough information about the long-term risks and benefits," Green added.

The study

For the purpose of the study, Green and her colleagues examined 3000 cases taken from the UK General Practice Research database on men and women aged over 40.

The participants in the study had one of the following cancers diagnosed between 1995 and 2005: esophageal, stomach, or colorectal.

The study established that people with 10 or more prescriptions
for bisphosphonates, or with prescriptions over about five years, were twice more susceptible to contracting esophageal cancer vis-à-vis their counterparts who had no bisphosphonate prescriptions.

"In Europe and North America, the incidence of esophageal cancer at age 60-79 is typically 1 per 1,000 population over five years, and this is estimated to increase to about 2 per 1,000 with five years' use of oral bisphosphonates," declared the study authors.

The study found no relation between bisphosphonate prescriptions and stomach or bowel cancer.

The National Osteoporosis Society said of the findings, "It is a case of balancing the reduced risk of fractures against the side effects of treatment.”

"When you consider the fact that there are 230,000 osteoporotic fractures every year in the UK and 1,150 hip-fracture-related deaths every month, the case for treatment is strong," stated the society.

The findings of the study have been published in the British Medical Journal.

Via : themedguru.com