“You definitely have ONJ.”

Those were the shocking words that came out of the mouth of my oral surgeon about two months ago. The news that I had osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) was totally unexpected.

Granted, I didn’t just happen to aimlessly wander into an oral surgeon’s office, open my mouth, and ask him what he saw. But I was there to have him rule out ONJ.

Instead, he ruled it in.

But his demeanor and what he said thereafter was equally unexpected. He said that he was not …

The International Myeloma Working Group, a group of leading myeloma special­ists, recently published its recommendations for the treatment of bone disease in multiple myeloma patients.

The researchers recommend that all myeloma patients receiving their first anti-myeloma therapy should also receive treatment with bis­phos­pho­nates, regard­less of whether the patient shows evidence of bone disease on x-rays. They also note that a minimally invasive procedure known as kypho­plasty, as well as low-dose radiation therapy, may be used to reduce severe pain or bone fractures.

In addition, they explain that most bisphosphonates are well tolerated, …

Results of a small Turkish study indicate that laser surgery may be a viable treatment option for cancer patients who experience bisphosphonate-related bone death in their jaws.

Specifically, the study authors found that patients who received laser surgery achieved higher rates of complete healing than patients who received conventional surgery. While the results are suggestive, the study was small and the difference in the rates was not considered significant.

According to Dr. Belir Atalay of Istanbul University in Turkey and lead author of the study, laser surgery may be a better treatment …

Results of a recent study indicate that a history of smoking, the use of the bisphosphonate Aredia, and five genetic variations may put multiple myeloma patients at an increased risk of developing osteonecrosis of the jaw, a rare but serious side effect of bisphosphonate treatment.  Several of the genes the study authors identified are involved in bone formation, osteoporosis, and wound healing.

The study authors noted that if their findings can be confirmed in larger studies, they could be used to tailor bisphosphonate treatment for patients carrying these genetic variations, thus decreasing …

According to a recent study, the bisphosphonate Aredia reduces skeletal-related events, such as bone lesions and bone fractures, in patients with smoldering multiple myeloma; however, it does not prevent disease progression to symptomatic myeloma.

According to the study authors, these findings are consistent with the findings of previous studies that had shorter follow-up times.

Bone disease is frequently associated with multiple myeloma and can cause bone pain and fractures (see related Beacon news). While the symptoms of bone disease can be treated with radiation therapy and surgical procedures, bisphosphonates are currently …

A 30 mg monthly dose of the bisphosphonate Aredia prevents bone disease as effectively as a 90 mg dose in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients, according to a recent Nordic study. The study also found that the lower dose resulted in fewer side effects than the higher dose.

Based on their findings, the researchers recommended 30 mg Aredia be administered to multiple myeloma patients for the prevention of bone disease.

“I believe that our study can lead to a reduction in the cost of treatment and maybe more importantly a reduction in the …