A rare avascolar osteonecrosis of the knee related to biphosphonate treatment in a patient with metastatic breast cancer

Breast Dis. 2015;35(3):203-6. doi: 10.3233/BD-150410.

Abstract

Bisphosphonates are widely used both in the multidisciplinary management of bone metastases, especially osteolytic lesions from solid tumors or multiple myeloma, and of osteoporosis.Aseptic osteonecrosis, especially of the jaw, is among the well-known, although uncommon, side effects of bisphosphonates. Osteonecrosis of other bones has been very rarely reported with the use of bisphosphonates.We describe a rare case of osteonecrosis of the distal femur associated with the use of bisphosphonates in a 74 years old female patient with metastatic breast cancer.

Keywords: Bisphosphonates; knee osteonecrosis; metastatic breast cancer.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / methods*
  • Ascites / diagnosis
  • Ascites / etiology
  • Bone Density Conservation Agents / administration & dosage
  • Bone Density Conservation Agents / adverse effects
  • Breast Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Breast Neoplasms* / physiopathology
  • Breast Neoplasms* / surgery
  • Diphosphonates / administration & dosage
  • Diphosphonates / adverse effects*
  • Female
  • Femur Head Necrosis* / diagnosis
  • Femur Head Necrosis* / etiology
  • Femur Head Necrosis* / physiopathology
  • Femur Head Necrosis* / surgery
  • Humans
  • Mastectomy / methods
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Osteoporosis / drug therapy
  • Peritoneum / pathology
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Unilateral Breast Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Unilateral Breast Neoplasms* / physiopathology
  • Unilateral Breast Neoplasms* / surgery

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Bone Density Conservation Agents
  • Diphosphonates