Changes in bone mineral density in newly diagnosed testicular cancer patients after anticancer treatment.

CONTEXT: Patients with germ cell tumors (GCTs) have an excellent prognosis but are at risk for silent fractures. Data on bone mineral density (BMD) after anticancer treatment are scarce.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was BMD monitoring in GCT patients treated with or without chemotherapy.

DESIGN: We prospectively studied 63 newly diagnosed GCT patients with a median age of 33 years (range 16-70 y) within 3 months of unilateral orchidectomy. Twenty-seven patients (42.9%) had no metastases. Thirty-six patients (57.1%) with metastatic disease received combination chemotherapy.

SETTING: This study was conducted at the outpatient clinic of a single academic institution.

INTERVENTIONS: We performed dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scans and collected blood samples on a yearly basis, before and up to 5 years after anticancer treatment.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Changes in total hip and lumbar spine BMD, serum concentrations of gonadal hormones, and bone turnover markers were measured.

RESULTS: BMD remained normal in stage I patients. In patients with metastatic disease, a significant decrease in lumbar spine BMD (-1.52%; P = .004) and total hip BMD (-2.05%; P < .0001) was observed 1 year after chemotherapy and remained stable thereafter for up to 5 years. There was no significant relationship between the observed decrease in BMD and gonadal status, vitamin D status, or cumulative dose of cisplatin or (antiemetic) corticosteroids.

CONCLUSIONS: Metastatic GCT survivors demonstrate significant bone loss within the first year after curative combination chemotherapy, with no recovery up to 5 years after anticancer treatment. Whether this bone loss is associated with increased fracture risk and whether this could be prevented by bone modifying treatment remains to be established.