Should all breast cancer patients with symptomatic bone metastases be treated with bisphosphonates? The case in support

In summary, the use of bisphosphonates for bone metastases has led to a major improvement in the management of women with metastatic breast cancer. However, the magnitude of benefit, who to treat, when to treat, and for how long remains unclear. A real need exists for randomised trials on the continued use of bisphosphonates after skeletal events while on a bisphosphonate, and also their role in the management of patients with poor prognosis disease. © 2004 The Royal College of Radiologists. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.