Bisphosphonates for bone metastatic disease from breast cancer—clinical practice in the Czech Republic

Abstract

The use of bisphosphonates (BPs) represents a standard therapy of bone metastatic disease from breast cancer and has been incorporated in many systemic international guidelines. We have tried to evaluate the use of BPs in current clinical practice across the Czech Republic. A covering letter, questionnaires and pre-paid envelopes were mailed to the head oncologists of 64 workplaces of Czech Oncology Society. Total 310 questionnaires were sent out. The questionnaire consisted of 23 questions. The questionnaires were completed and returned by 91 oncologists from 32 workplaces. Most of the responding oncologists worked at university hospitals (42%), the most frequent length of work experience was 5 to 10 years (30%) and the most frequent rate of breast cancer patients was from 10 to 25% (45%). Ninety-five percent of the oncologists regularly initiated BP therapy, and oral clodronate was the first choice BP (77%). Once initiated, the treatment was discontinued in less than 5% patients (24%). Seventy-one (79%) oncologists stated that the most important reason leading to therapy termination was impairment of performance status. The consensual agreement pointed out that it could be a fundamental step towards establishing the national treatment guidelines for the BP use in metastatic breast cancer patients.