Bone Health Management in Gastric Cancer Survivorship
Summary
Gastric cancer survivors who undergo gastrectomy or endoscopic resection face a heightened risk of bone mineral density loss, osteoporosis and fracture. Altered gastrointestinal anatomy often leads to malabsorption of calcium, vitamin D and other micronutrients essential for skeletal integrity. Chronic weight loss, changes in hormonal regulation and reduced dietary intake compound these effects. Effective management involves early identification of at-risk individuals through dual energy x-ray absorptiometry, biochemical monitoring of mineral metabolism and a multidisciplinary approach integrating nutritional counselling, targeted supplementation and pharmacotherapy such as bisphosphonates. Timely intervention not only mitigates fracture risk but also supports long-term quality of life. With an ageing global population and increasing numbers of long-term survivors, standardised screening protocols and tailored bone-preserving strategies are essential to reduce morbidity and healthcare burden across diverse healthcare settings.
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Bone Health Management in Gastric Cancer Survivorship publication trend
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Technical terms
Bone mineral density (BMD): Quantitative measure of mineral content in bone, typically assessed by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry to evaluate fracture risk.
Osteoporosis: Skeletal disorder characterised by low bone mass and microarchitectural deterioration, leading to increased fracture susceptibility.
Gastrectomy: Surgical removal of all or part of the stomach, often performed to treat gastric cancer and associated with nutrient malabsorption.
Bisphosphonates: Class of antiresorptive drugs that inhibit osteoclast activity to preserve bone mass and reduce fracture incidence.
Micronutrient supplementation: Targeted provision of vitamins and minerals, such as calcium and vitamin D, to correct deficiencies and support bone health.
References
- Micronutrient Supplementation and Bone Health After Prophylactic Total Gastrectomy in Patients With CDH1 Variants. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (2023).
- Association between Gastric Cancer and Osteoporosis: A Longitudinal Follow-Up Study Using a National Health Sample Cohort. Cancers (2024).
- Osteoporosis and fracture after gastrectomy for stomach cancer. Medicine (2018).
- Bone mineral density after treatment for gastric cancer. Medicine (2018).
- Vitamin D—The Nutritional Status of Post-Gastrectomy Gastric Cancer Patients—Systematic Review. Nutrients (2022).
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