Unfortunately, the long-term hormone therapy that is necessary to prevent the spread or recurrence of prostate cancer can affect bone health and, in some patients, cause bone demineralization, or osteoporosis. What should be done to prevent and /or treat potential bone demineralization for prostate cancer patients has not been well studied. We know that vitamin D and calcium are critical for good bone health, as is exercise, but, what else, if anything, can be done to help maintain good bone health? The Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG), a National Cancer Institute (NCI) funded national cooperative group, wants to answer this question. 

This past spring RTOG opened a clinical trial, RTOG 0518, to examine this problem. The study is open to men who have been treated for “high risk” prostate cancer with any form of radiation therapy (external beam or brachytherapy) and have received more than one year of LHRH hormone therapy. 

Eligible patients can also not have evidence of metastatic disease. All patients entered in the trial will be provided with vitamin D and calcium supplements. Half of the patients will also receive the drug Zometa ®, a bisphosphonate that may improve bone strength. Patients on this trial are supplied with supplements of vitamin D and calcium daily and every three months they receive a 15 minute IV infusion of either Zometa® or a Placebo. All costs of the drug/Placebo are covered as are the required x-rays of the spine. 

This study will answer the question of whether receiving a bisphosphonate is better for the maintenance of good bone health in this group of patients over vitamin D and calcium supplements alone. 

For more information please visit www.rtog.org or contact RTOG Headquarters at 800-227-5463 x 4189. The complete research protocol can be found here.