Bone mineral content in myelomatosis.

Bone mineral content (BMC) was determined by photon absorptiometry on both forearms in 28 patients with myelomatosis. Nineteen patients had received intermittent treatment with cytostatic agents and prednisone. No significant reduction of BMC was found between the patients with myelomatosis and an age- and sex-matched normal population. Neither was any significant decrease in BMC with the duration of the disease demonstrated. In 16 patients, routine X-ray indicated osteoporosis, but their BMC was not reduced compared to the patients without osteoporosis on X-ray. However, the former patients were significantly older than the latter. Provided the term "generalized osteoporosis" implies reduced mineral content in all bones, the study indicates that patients with myelomatosis have not generalized osteoporosis.