A greenstick osteoporotic tibial fracture while on chemotherapy in a 12-year-old girl with osteosarcoma of the knee: does a preventive role exist for agents that reduce iatrogenic bone loss and skeletal-related events?

J Biol Regul Homeost Agents. 2011 Jan-Mar;25(1):131-5.

Abstract

In patients with osteosarcoma several causative factors are implicated in the occurrence of osteoporosis, such as no weight-bearing, pre- and post-surgical immobilization, and neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy. Nevertheless, osteoporotic fractures are a rare complication in young patients. We report the case of a spontaneous greenstick fracture of the distal tibia occurring during adjuvant chemotherapy in a 12-year-old Caucasian girl. Among the various drugs, the main role of methotrexate was investigated. A review of the literature is also presented along with a discussion about the role of preventive agents able to reduce the occurrence of osteopenia and/or osteoporosis following cancer treatment.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Letter
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / administration & dosage
  • Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / adverse effects*
  • Bone Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Bone Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Child
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Knee*
  • Methotrexate / administration & dosage
  • Methotrexate / adverse effects*
  • Osteoporosis / chemically induced*
  • Osteoporosis / diagnostic imaging
  • Osteoporosis / therapy
  • Osteosarcoma / diagnostic imaging
  • Osteosarcoma / drug therapy*
  • Radiography
  • Tibial Fractures / chemically induced*
  • Tibial Fractures / diagnostic imaging
  • Tibial Fractures / therapy

Substances

  • Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic
  • Methotrexate