Bone Metastases and Skeletal Complications: Information and Involvement of Patients with Cancer in the Treatment Pathway

Abstract Introduction Adequate information about patients with bone metastases could increase adherence to treatment and reduce or delay skeletal and dental complications. Limited data are available on patient awareness, the degree of information received, and adherence to specific treatment for bon...

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Main Authors: Stefania Gori, Alessandra Fabi, Giuseppe Procopio, Mario Airoldi, Alberto Zambelli, Gaetano Lanzetta, Sergio Bracarda, Jennifer Foglietta, Silvana Leo, Anna Baggi, Jean Marie Franzini, Matteo Valerio, Matteo Verzè, Fabrizio Nicolis
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Adis, Springer Healthcare 2025-05-01
Series:Oncology and Therapy
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1007/s40487-025-00343-5
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author Stefania Gori
Alessandra Fabi
Giuseppe Procopio
Mario Airoldi
Alberto Zambelli
Gaetano Lanzetta
Sergio Bracarda
Jennifer Foglietta
Silvana Leo
Anna Baggi
Jean Marie Franzini
Matteo Valerio
Matteo Verzè
Fabrizio Nicolis
author_facet Stefania Gori
Alessandra Fabi
Giuseppe Procopio
Mario Airoldi
Alberto Zambelli
Gaetano Lanzetta
Sergio Bracarda
Jennifer Foglietta
Silvana Leo
Anna Baggi
Jean Marie Franzini
Matteo Valerio
Matteo Verzè
Fabrizio Nicolis
author_sort Stefania Gori
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Introduction Adequate information about patients with bone metastases could increase adherence to treatment and reduce or delay skeletal and dental complications. Limited data are available on patient awareness, the degree of information received, and adherence to specific treatment for bone metastases. Methods ROPI (Rete Oncologica Pazienti Italia) conducted an anonymous survey from 1 February to 31 August 2022 among patients with bone metastases from solid tumors to evaluate their level of information and adherence to specific treatments and dental evaluations. Questionnaires were administered by oncologists or nurses at participating cancer centers. Results Analysis of 351 questionnaires revealed that 75% of patients felt “fairly/well” informed about bone metastases and skeletal complications. The oncologists were the primary source of information. More than 80% of patients reported undergoing specific treatment for bone metastases (denosumab, 48%; zoledronic acid, 46%); 93% of patients received dental evaluations before starting therapy (with dental complications in only 0.3% of patients) and 78% received information about the importance of regular dental checkups. Vitamin D and calcium supplements were taken by 83% of patients. Among patients with skeletal complications (47% of patients), bone radiotherapy was the most frequent (94%). Conclusions Most patients stated that they had received information about bone metastases, skeletal complications, and specific treatments. This could increase awareness and adherence to treatment and potentially reduce or delay skeletal and/or dental complications improving patients’ quality of life and survival.
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spelling doaj-art-d3e6c3b5cf09417a82c9c59c2e3b8ebb2025-08-20T03:25:16ZengAdis, Springer HealthcareOncology and Therapy2366-10702366-10892025-05-0113250551710.1007/s40487-025-00343-5Bone Metastases and Skeletal Complications: Information and Involvement of Patients with Cancer in the Treatment PathwayStefania Gori0Alessandra Fabi1Giuseppe Procopio2Mario Airoldi3Alberto Zambelli4Gaetano Lanzetta5Sergio Bracarda6Jennifer Foglietta7Silvana Leo8Anna Baggi9Jean Marie Franzini10Matteo Valerio11Matteo Verzè12Fabrizio Nicolis13Medical Oncology Unit, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria HospitalPrecision Medicine Unit in Senology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCSHead of the Genitourinary Simple Departmental Structure, Department of Medical Oncology, Istituto Nazionale dei TumoriMedical Oncology 2, AOU Città della Salute e della ScienzaMedical Oncology, ASST Papa Giovanni XXIIIMedical Oncology Unit, INI GrottaferrataMedical and Translation Oncology, Azienda Ospedaliera Santa MariaMedical and Translation Oncology, Azienda Ospedaliera Santa MariaMedical Oncology, V. Fazzi HospitalBusiness Integration Partners (BIP), Life Sciences DivisionBusiness Integration Partners (BIP), Life Sciences DivisionMedical Oncology Unit, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria HospitalMedical Direction, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria HospitalMedical Direction, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria HospitalAbstract Introduction Adequate information about patients with bone metastases could increase adherence to treatment and reduce or delay skeletal and dental complications. Limited data are available on patient awareness, the degree of information received, and adherence to specific treatment for bone metastases. Methods ROPI (Rete Oncologica Pazienti Italia) conducted an anonymous survey from 1 February to 31 August 2022 among patients with bone metastases from solid tumors to evaluate their level of information and adherence to specific treatments and dental evaluations. Questionnaires were administered by oncologists or nurses at participating cancer centers. Results Analysis of 351 questionnaires revealed that 75% of patients felt “fairly/well” informed about bone metastases and skeletal complications. The oncologists were the primary source of information. More than 80% of patients reported undergoing specific treatment for bone metastases (denosumab, 48%; zoledronic acid, 46%); 93% of patients received dental evaluations before starting therapy (with dental complications in only 0.3% of patients) and 78% received information about the importance of regular dental checkups. Vitamin D and calcium supplements were taken by 83% of patients. Among patients with skeletal complications (47% of patients), bone radiotherapy was the most frequent (94%). Conclusions Most patients stated that they had received information about bone metastases, skeletal complications, and specific treatments. This could increase awareness and adherence to treatment and potentially reduce or delay skeletal and/or dental complications improving patients’ quality of life and survival.https://doi.org/10.1007/s40487-025-00343-5Bone metastasesSkeletal complicationsBisphosphonatesDenosumabPatient information
spellingShingle Stefania Gori
Alessandra Fabi
Giuseppe Procopio
Mario Airoldi
Alberto Zambelli
Gaetano Lanzetta
Sergio Bracarda
Jennifer Foglietta
Silvana Leo
Anna Baggi
Jean Marie Franzini
Matteo Valerio
Matteo Verzè
Fabrizio Nicolis
Bone Metastases and Skeletal Complications: Information and Involvement of Patients with Cancer in the Treatment Pathway
Oncology and Therapy
Bone metastases
Skeletal complications
Bisphosphonates
Denosumab
Patient information
title Bone Metastases and Skeletal Complications: Information and Involvement of Patients with Cancer in the Treatment Pathway
title_full Bone Metastases and Skeletal Complications: Information and Involvement of Patients with Cancer in the Treatment Pathway
title_fullStr Bone Metastases and Skeletal Complications: Information and Involvement of Patients with Cancer in the Treatment Pathway
title_full_unstemmed Bone Metastases and Skeletal Complications: Information and Involvement of Patients with Cancer in the Treatment Pathway
title_short Bone Metastases and Skeletal Complications: Information and Involvement of Patients with Cancer in the Treatment Pathway
title_sort bone metastases and skeletal complications information and involvement of patients with cancer in the treatment pathway
topic Bone metastases
Skeletal complications
Bisphosphonates
Denosumab
Patient information
url https://doi.org/10.1007/s40487-025-00343-5
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