Osteonecrosis - not drug or trauma induced

Hi,

My older brother has been diagnosed with Osteonecrosis. Bone is
protruding out of his jaw and he has multiple small fractures of his
jaw. He has never been on any of the meds known to cause it. He has
suffered no trauma to his jaw. His GP said that it could be bone
cancer, but I've found little online to back that up. He is 48 years
old. None of the conditions that lead to his condition seem to fit
his case. Our family has a long history of cancer though, and my
younger brother died of a "head and neck" (nothing more specific)
cancer that metastasized to his bones.

Does anyone have any info regarding Osteonecrosis that is not
drug-induced and not due to trauma?

Thanks in advance.

Winks

Winks



*Note email address is munged. Correct email is irishwinks@bresnan.net

IrishWinks wrote:

> My older brother has been diagnosed with Osteonecrosis. Bone is
> protruding out of his jaw and he has multiple small fractures of his
> jaw. He has never been on any of the meds known to cause it. He has
> suffered no trauma to his jaw. His GP said that it could be bone
> cancer, but I've found little online to back that up. He is 48 years
> old. None of the conditions that lead to his condition seem to fit
> his case. Our family has a long history of cancer though, and my
> younger brother died of a "head and neck" (nothing more specific)
> cancer that metastasized to his bones.
>
> Does anyone have any info regarding Osteonecrosis that is not
> drug-induced and not due to trauma?

Winks,
There's lots of other factors listed here
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osteonecrosis_of_the_jaw It's insidious.

and http://www.mja.com.au/public/issues/...r10144_fm.html
Osteonecrosis of the jaw closely resembles the occupational disorder “fossy
jaw”, which occurred in workers in match factories using white phosphorus
in manufacturing. "
It's also called phossy jaw.

If he's ever had a history drinking, something could have happened (trauma)
that he doesn't remember now.

Best I can do to try to help.
I hope he does not have cancer. Let us know if it is.

My sympathy about your other brother.
Best wishes,
J

IrishWinks wrote:

> My older brother has been diagnosed with Osteonecrosis. Bone is
> protruding out of his jaw and he has multiple small fractures of his
> jaw. He has never been on any of the meds known to cause it. He has
> suffered no trauma to his jaw. His GP said that it could be bone
> cancer, but I've found little online to back that up. He is 48 years
> old. None of the conditions that lead to his condition seem to fit
> his case. Our family has a long history of cancer though, and my
> younger brother died of a "head and neck" (nothing more specific)
> cancer that metastasized to his bones.
>
> Does anyone have any info regarding Osteonecrosis that is not
> drug-induced and not due to trauma?

Some other risk factors are listed here
http://www.niams.nih.gov/hi/topics/o...osis/index.htm
J