A recent study titled “Balloon kyphoplasty in malignant spinal fractures,” found that balloon kyphoplasty is a safe and effective procedure for multiple myeloma patients and other cancer patients with spinal fractures. The study was published in BMC Palliative Care on September 9.

Balloon kyphoplasty involves inserting an inflatable balloon into the fractured vertebra of the spinal column. The balloon is then filled with bone cement to return the vertebra to its correct position. Afterwards, patients typically have reduced pain and can move easier.

“Myeloma patients frequently have this specific problem,”…

At the recent twelfth annual International Myeloma Workshop (IMW), physicians discussed strategies for managing multiple myeloma symptoms. Their topics included deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a potentially fatal blood clot in the body’s large veins, and myeloma-induced bone disease, including “soft spots” and fractures.

DVT involves blood clot formation in the deep veins of the body, and if a clot dislodges, it may travel to other areas and block blood flow to vital organs. Researchers estimate that approximately 70 percent of all critical blockages of lung blood vessels originate from DVT…

Bone fractures and bone disease are two severe complications affecting myeloma patients. However, treatments such as radiation therapy, vertebroplasty, and kyphoplasty are all used to help myeloma patients combat weakening bone formation.

The most common type of lesions that develop in myeloma patients are in the spinal column. Patients may mistake pain from the lesion, often in the lower back and ribs, to be general back pain. One possible cause for the pain is vertebral compression fractures, also known as spinal fractures. This happens because the bone in the spine is too…