A recent study titled “Balloon kyphoplasty in malignant spinal fractures,” found that balloon kyphoplasty is a safe and effective procedure for multiple myeloma patients and other cancer patients with spinal fractures. The study was published in BMC Palliative Care on September 9.

Balloon kyphoplasty involves inserting an inflatable balloon into the fractured vertebra of the spinal column. The balloon is then filled with bone cement to return the vertebra to its correct position. Afterwards, patients typically have reduced pain and can move easier.

“Myeloma patients frequently have this specific problem,” said Dr. Carl Freter, an oncologist and hematologist at the University of Missouri-Columbia. He is an advocate of balloon kyphoplasty and for the past fifteen years, he has seen it improve patient quality of life.

“It has a number of advantages - relieves pain and gets patients off sedentary pain medications,” Dr. Freter said. “I have a handful of patients with remarkable results.”

Spinal fractures are the most common type of bone lesion in multiple myeloma patients. Nearly 90 percent of myeloma patients endure these kinds of lesions, which happen when cells that breakdown bones go into overdrive or cells that build bones cannot form or function properly. The fractures usually occur in the lower back because the weakened bones cannot withstand the pressure.

Treatment methods include radiation, which reduces pain, and vertebroplasty, which involves injecting bone cement directly into the broken vertebra. But balloon kyphoplasty results in lower cement leakage than vertebroplasty and can provide pain relief for two years.

Furthermore, the study reported no serious complications as a result of balloon kyphoplasty. The procedure reduces spinal deformity and improves social function and mental health, according to a quality of life survey administered to patients.

“The study is convincing and impressive,” Freter said, adding he hopes it will lead to wider application.

The authors of the study looked at seven different articles about the safety and effectiveness of balloon kyphoplasty and analyzed the outcomes. Fifty-seven percent of the total patients suffered from multiple myeloma.

Each of the studies followed up with patients, ranging from three months to two years after their procedure. Balloon kyphoplasty improved height loss and spinal deformity. However, these effects were only temporary.

For more information, please see the study in BMC Palliative Care (pdf).