Definition of bone density - NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms

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bone density (...DEN-sih-tee)

A measure of the amount of minerals (mostly calcium and phosphorous) contained in a certain volume of bone. Bone density measurements are used to diagnose osteoporosis (a condition marked by decreased bone mass), to see how well osteoporosis treatments are working, and to predict how likely the bones are to break. Low bone density can occur in patients treated for cancer. Also called bone mineral density, BMD, and bone mass.

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Next Definitions:	bone marrow, bone marrow ablation, bone marrow aspiration, bone marrow biopsy, bone marrow cancer