Articles tagged with: Vertebroplasty
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Opinion: Different Experiences With Myeloma – In the latest article published in the opinion section of The Myeloma Beacon, Vietnam Veteran David Willson, who was diagnosed with multiple myeloma five years ago, writes about how multiple myeloma has affected his life. He feels that his experiences have been very different from those described by most other myeloma patients writing or commenting at The Beacon. He would like to know whether his experiences are an exception, and hear from others who have stories similar to his.
Vertebroplasty And Kyphoplasty May Improve Quality Of Life Of Multiple Myeloma Patients – Results from a recent study indicate that vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty procedures improve quality of life of myeloma patients with spinal fractures. Specifically, the researchers found that both procedures significantly reduced pain and the need for pain killers and improved patients’ physical activity. Both procedures appeared to be equally effective. Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty are known as vertebral augmentation therapies and have shown in previous studies to decrease pain in myeloma patients. Vertebroplasty involves injecting bone cement directly into the spinal fracture site, which provides pain relief and stabilizes the spine. In kyphoplasty, a balloon is inserted into the fractured bone and inflated to create a void, which is then filled with cement. For more information, please refer to the study in the journal Leukemia (pdf).
Investigational Drug SNX-5422 Shows Some Activity In Multiple Myeloma – Findings from a small Phase 1 trial show that the investigational drug SNX-5422 (PF-04929113), which is being developed by the drug development company Esanex, may be effective in stabilizing refractory or relapsed myeloma. The study included 25 patients with a variety of blood cancers. One patient with myeloma experienced prolonged stabilization of their disease while participating in this study. SNX-5422 belongs to a class of drugs called heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) inhibitors. Tanespimycin is another Hsp90 inhibitor that was being developed for the treatment of myeloma; however, development of this drug was halted in late-stage clinical trials (see related Beacon news). A Phase 2 study is being planned to test SNX-5422 further in myeloma and lymphoma patients. SNX-5422 is also being investigated for a variety of solid tumors, including breast and lung cancer. For more information, please see the study in the journal Clinical Lymphoma Myeloma and Leukemia (abstract).
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According to a small Italian study, multiple myeloma patients being treated for spinal fractures face a slightly lower risk of cement leakage following kyphoplasty compared to vertebroplasty.
Additionally, the Italian researchers found that several factors, including thicker cement, prior treatment with bone marrow transplantation, and injecting no more than 2 mL of cement regardless of the number of vertebrae being treated, are associated with a lower leakage risk.
Based on these findings, the researchers consider both vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty safe treatment options for myeloma-related spinal lesions. However, they point out that the …
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A group of leading myeloma specialists, known as the International Myeloma Working Group, recently collaborated to develop guidelines for the proper management of bone disease in multiple myeloma. The group recommended that patients with bone disease should be treated with standard dosages of intravenous bisphosphonates. A minimally invasive procedure called kyphoplasty may also be considered to reduce bone pain and improve functional ability.
Dr. David Roodman of the University of Pittsburgh presented these findings at the International Myeloma Workshop (IMW) on May 6 in Paris.
Most multiple myeloma patients develop bone disease, …
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A group of Italian researchers found that vertebroplasty provides durable pain relief for multiple myeloma patients with spinal compression fractures. In addition, the procedure reduced the patients’ need for pain-relieving medications and back braces.
At least 70 percent of multiple myeloma patients suffer from bone disease, which is characterized by bone pain, fractures, and elevated calcium levels. Patients frequently experience compression fractures in the spine, which may cause back pain, partial paralysis of limbs, decreased sensation, and poor urinary control.
Researchers are currently evaluating the success of treating spinal compression fractures with …
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ArthroCare Corp. has received clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to market its Parallax Contour Vertebral Augmentation Device. The Contour device can now be used during minimally invasive surgical procedures to treat spinal fractures caused by multiple myeloma bone lesions.
Weakening of the vertebrae, the bones that make up the spine, can result in vertebral compression fractures. Though the most common cause of vertebral compression fractures is osteoporosis, they may also be caused by multiple myeloma tumors.
Patients with vertebral compression fractures often suffer from debilitating pain and may experience …
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A recent study published in the journal Neurological Sciences determined that injecting bone cement into fracture sites in the spine, a procedure called vertebroplasty, leads to fast pain relief and restored mobility in multiple myeloma patients.
Myeloma cells accelerate processes that degrade bone, resulting in bone lesions and fractures. Spinal fractures, in particular, are a common complication associated with multiple myeloma and can leave patients unable to walk. Treatment options include radiation therapy, medication, and a minimally invasive procedure called vertebroplasty (for further description, see related Beacon article).
In the study, …
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The potential benefits of vesselplasty for the treatment of spinal fractures are highlighted in a recent study published in the American Journal of Roentgenology. Patients treated with vesselplasty, including some with multiple myeloma, experienced significant reductions in pain, immobility, and the use of painkillers.
Spinal fractures, also known as collapsed vertebrae or vertebral compression fractures, can develop in multiple myeloma patients who suffer from bone weakening.
Vesselplasty is a minimally invasive, image-guided surgical procedure that has emerged as an alternative to the conventional treatments of vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty. A major advantage …
