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An audit into the use of bisphosphonates for patients with non-small cell lung cancer and bone metastases at a tertiary cancer centre
Broadbent, Rachel Lindsay, Colin R
Broadbent, Rachel
Lindsay, Colin R
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Abstract
Introduction: Around a third of patients with non-small cell lung
cancer (NSCLC) will develop bone metastases. In these patients,
bisphosphonates reduce skeletal related events. Zolendronic acid
is the most effective bisphosphonate in reducing morbidity and is
recommended. This retrospective audit was performed to determine
the frequency of use of zolendronic acid for patients treated for
NSCLC and bone metastases in a tertiary cancer centre.
Methods: A search of clinical outcome forms and the electronic prescribing
system identified patients with NSCLC and bone metastases
at diagnosis (1/1/16 to 1/1/17) and which of those patients received
zolendronic acid. All zolendronic acid prescriptions (1/1/16 to 1/1/17,
all diagnosis) were studied and those with a diagnosis of NSCLC
(and not included in first search) were identified. For the patients
identified above we collected further data regarding diagnosis,
treatment, and bisphosphonate dosing.
Results: 255 patients had bone metastases at time of diagnosis.
5/255 had a prescription for zolendronic acid (2%). Between
01/01/2016 and 01/01/2017, 386 patients received zolendronic acid
of which 10 had a diagnosis of NSCLC (3%). A further 4 had a single
dose for hypercalcaemia and were excluded. Further data for these
groups is shown in Table 1.
Conclusion: The use of bisphosphonates in patients with NSCLC
and bone metastases is low in this tertiary centre, with just 2% of
patients with known bone metastases at diagnosis being prescribed
zolendronic acid and patients with NSCLC accounting for just 3% of
zolendronic acid prescriptions, a lower figure than anticipated given
the frequency of bone metastases in this patient population. The
majority of those receiving a bisphosphonate were symptomatic of
their bone metastases. There was variability in dose scheduling and
timing with regards to diagnosis and radiotherapy. This audit has
highlighted the use of bisphosphonates as an area for development
in this centre.
Description
Date
2019
Publisher
Collections
Keywords
Type
Meetings and Proceedings
Citation
Broadbent R, Lindsay C, Blackhall F. An audit into the use of bisphosphonates for patients with non-small cell lung cancer and bone metastases at a tertiary cancer centre. Lung Cancer. 2019;127:S86-S.