What Researchers Did
Researchers reviewed 18 patient cases of osteonecrosis of the jaw associated with bisphosphonate use, referred to oral medicine or surgery specialists between June 2002 and September 2004.
What They Found
Of the 18 patients, 17 had cancer with bone metastases and 1 had osteopenia, all developing osteonecrosis of the mandible and/or maxilla after bisphosphonate treatment. The cohort included 14 females and 4 males with a mean age of 62 years, and cancer patients received intravenous bisphosphonates for an average of 25 months. Breast carcinoma was the most common malignancy, affecting 10 patients.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
Patients taking bisphosphonates, especially for cancer with bone metastases, should be aware of the risk of osteonecrosis of the jaw. Regular dental check-ups and prompt reporting of any oral symptoms to their healthcare provider are crucial for early detection and management.
Canadian Relevance
This study did not include Canadian patients or researchers, therefore it has no direct Canadian connection.
Study Limitations
As a review of referred cases, this study lacks a control group and may not represent the overall incidence of bisphosphonate-associated osteonecrosis.