Consolidation of Tumorous Mandibular Ramus Defect During Denosumab Treatment for Rapidly Progressive Metastatic Breast Cancer.

BACKGROUND

Pharmacological inhibition of osteoclast activity is an essential component of oncological therapy for patients with bone metastases. In rare cases, medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaws (MRONJ) is observed. MRONJ can cause bone defects not inferior to primary or metastatic jaw neoplasms. Oral examination of patients on osteoclast-inhibiting medication aims to identify risk factors at an early stage and to initiate therapy. The current focus on osteoclast-inhibiting drugs in the maxillofacial region is MRONJ. Effects of the substances other than MRONJ are rarely reported.

CASE REPORT: The female patient with metastatic breast cancer had developed extensive osteolysis of the mandibular ramus at the time of initial diagnosis. The patient was treated with denosumab. Seven months later, a significant reduction in the mandibular osteolytic zone was recorded. However, known bone metastases from other sites had increased in size during multimodal therapy, and further metastases were recorded.

CONCLUSION

Jaw metastasis can shrink under denosumab therapy.