How common is jaw osteonecrosis in myeloma patients?
• In addition to the report from Florida , there are 2 reports from the New York area (2, 3). Dr. Ruggiero and colleagues have reported 63 total patients, 28 with myeloma over a 3-year span (2001-2003) inclusive. The group at Memorial Sloan Kettering noted 4 myeloma patients with osteonecrosis in their review of bisphosphonate patients. This gives a total of 50 myeloma patients reported in the medical literature. • Because of the above reports and concern within the myeloma community, the IMF decided to conduct a web-based survey. The results will be available soon. In the interim, from reports to the IMF hotline, at IMF Patient and Family seminars, and from hematology/oncology groups across the U.S. , patients with osteonecrosis are definitely emerging and requiring treatment. • What the true occurrence rate is now and what it may become with ongoing bisphosphonate therapy are both unclear. Thus far, only a small percentage of myeloma patients who are taking bisphosphonates have been
