Prevalence and risk factors of bisphosphonate-associated osteonecrosis of the jaw in prostate cancer patients with advanced disease treated with zoledronate.

Abstract Background In addition to other treatments, patients with prostate cancer (pCA) and bone metastasis receive bisphosphonates. Since 2003, a previously unknown side-effect of bisphosphonates—bisphosphonate-associated osteonecrosis of the jaws (BP-ONJ)—has been described, and frequency has since increased. An exact incidence is still unknown. Objectives The aim of this study was to assess the incidence and additional factors in the development of BP-ONJ. Design, setting, and participants From July 2006 to October 2007, patients with advanced pCA and osseous metastasis receiving bisphosphonate therapy in the Department of Urology or Haematology and Oncology at the Johannes-Gutenberg-Un…

Reply to Athanassios Kyrgidis, Zisis Teleioudis and Konstantinos Vahtsevanos’ Letter to the Editor re: Christian Walter, Bilal Al-Nawas, Knut A. Grötz, et al. Prevalence and Risk Factors of Bisphosphonate-Associated Osteonecrosis of the Jaw in Prostate Cancer Patients with Advanced Disease Treated with Zoledronate. Eur Urol 2008;54:1066–72