Bisphosphonates for pain management in children with benign cartilage tumors.

OBJECTIVES

Cochrane meta-analyses have shown significant benefit in bone pain from bisphosphonate therapy in adults with bone diseases such as multiple myeloma, Paget disease, breast and prostate cancer. Our aim was to assess if bisphosphonate treatment could alleviate severe pain in children with Ollier disease and hereditary multiple exostoses that are refractory to standard analgesics.

METHODS

We report our clinical experience with bisphosphonate therapy in 2 children with cartilage tumors, one with Ollier disease, and the other with hereditary multiple exostoses.

RESULTS

We found bisphosphonate therapy to be helpful for pain relief and improving overall ability to carry out daily activities.

DISCUSSION: One can consider bisphosphonate therapy in children with Ollier disease and hereditary multiple exostoses who have debilitating pain that is refractory to standard analgesic treatment.