PREVENTION AND SCREENING OF OSTEONECROSIS OF JAW (ONJ) IN MYELOMA PATIENTS : A MONOISTITUTIONAL FIFTEEN-YEAR EXPERIENCE

Charts of all myeloma patients observed at the Hematology Unit of Alessandria Hospital (Italy) in years 2005-2020 have been reviewed.  Patients received bisphosphonates according to international guidelines, that recommended shorter and tailored duration of antiresorptive treatment (instead of indefinitively prolonged administration, as advised by older guidelines) after 2006-2007. Out of 210 patients receiving pamidronate or zoledronic acid (or sequences of bisphosphonates) and evaluated for oral health, 7 cases of Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (ONJ) were registered (7/210, 3.3%).  However, 5 cases were detected among 41 cases starting antiresorptive treatment before 2006 without preventive visit, and only 2 cases were found among 169 cases receiving dental visit before treatment beginning (2/169, 1.2%). Our data seem confirm efficacy of measures directed to reduce the risk of ONJ in myeloma patients treated with less intensive schedules of bisphosphonates, according to latest recommendations..