Osteonecrosis of the jaw in cancer patients receiving IV bisphosphonates

Oncology (Williston Park). 2006 Aug;20(9):1053-62; discussion 1065-6.

Abstract

Cases of osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) have been reported with an increasing frequency over the past few years. ONJ is most often identified in patients with cancer who are receiving intravenous bisphosphonate therapy but it has also been diagnosed in patients receiving oral bisphosphonates for nonmalignant conditions. The condition involves exposed bone of the maxilla or mandible. Although it is often associated with a recent dental surgical procedure, spontaneous ONJ can also occur. Patients commonly present with symptoms. Through case reporting and clinical experience, there is a suggestion that the incidence of ONJ in patients with cancer receiving intravenous bisphosphonates ranges between 1% and 10%. Management of ONJ focuses on maximizing oral health, conservative actions with mouth rinses, antibiotics, and avoidance of unnecessary invasive dental procedures. The currently available data on ONJ are reviewed here.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Bone Density Conservation Agents / adverse effects*
  • Bone Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Bone Neoplasms / secondary
  • Breast Neoplasms / complications
  • Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • Diphosphonates / adverse effects*
  • Humans
  • Jaw Diseases / chemically induced*
  • Jaw Diseases / drug therapy
  • Jaw Diseases / epidemiology
  • Multiple Myeloma / complications
  • Multiple Myeloma / drug therapy
  • Multiple Myeloma / pathology
  • Oral Surgical Procedures
  • Orthognathic Surgical Procedures
  • Osteonecrosis / chemically induced*
  • Osteonecrosis / drug therapy
  • Osteonecrosis / epidemiology

Substances

  • Bone Density Conservation Agents
  • Diphosphonates