[Bisphosphonate-associated osteonecrosis of the jaw in patients with multiple myeloma]. / Bisfosfonatassocieret osteonekrose i kaeberne hos patienter med myelomatose.

Bisphosphonate-associated osteonecrosis of the jaw (BON) is mainly observed in patients with multiple myeloma, and to a lesser extent in breast and prostate cancer patients receiving intravenous treatment with potent bisphosphonates. The incidence of BON increases with the duration of bisphosphonate therapy and with the potency of the used bisphosphonate. BON usually develops after tooth extraction or other oral surgery, and has proven difficult to treat. Optimal dental hygiene should be ensured prior to treatment initiation where possible, and once bisphosphonate treatment is instituted, oral surgery should be avoided if possible.

Expression of p53, Ki-67, and EGFR in odontogenic keratocysts before and after decompression.

BACKGROUND: Sixteen odontogenic keratocysts were examined morphologically and immunohistochemically for changes in proliferative activity before and after decompression using p53, Ki-67, and expression of growth factor (EGFR). METHODS: p53 and Ki-67 positivity was scored by counting 500 cells and then counting the number of brown staining nuclei out of these. EGFR was scored using guidelines for scoring Herceptest [Dako (Her-2)]. A Wilcoxon test was performed on the results. RESULTS: The values of Ki-67 and p53 before and after decompression were without significant change. There was no significant change in EGFR expression either. No correlation was found between inflammation or decompression time and expression of EGFR, p53, and Ki-67. The degree of change of the epithelium was varying, yet the reduction of the cysts size was considerable (18-100%- average 47.6%). CONCLUSION: The morphologic changes in the cysts could not be correlated with expression of Ki-67, p53 or EGFR, to the clinical reduction of the cysts or the time of decompression.

The Danish national guidelines for treatment of oral squamous cell carcinoma.

The treatment strategy for oral squamous cell carcinoma in Denmark has traditionally varied between the different head and neck oncology centres. A study group within the Danish Society for Head and Neck Oncology (DSHHO) was formed with the aim of optimising and standardising the treatment strategy. The approach was to use single modality treatment for stage I, stage II and some stage III and combined modality treatment for stage III and IV. Surgery was the preferred treatment when it was considered possible to perform a radical excision of the tumour and possible lymph node metastases with acceptable aesthetic and functional outcome. The implementation of a recognised national guideline facilitates prospective studies on a large well-characterised cohort. This increases the possibility of obtaining valid data on parameters such as morbidity, loco-regional control and survival. In addition the establishment of a reference program facilitates national monitoring of the treatment using defined indicators and standards.