Key points

• Myeloma bone disease is a common complication of myeloma and is present in approximately 80% of newly diagnosed myeloma patients
• Myeloma bone disease is caused by an imbalance in bone remodelling as a result of the presence of myeloma cells disrupting the normal bone marrow microenvironment
• The consequences of myeloma bone disease can have a severe and debilitating impact including pain, fracture and loss of mobility
• Myeloma bone disease is detected, assessed and monitored using various imaging techniques
• The key elements of myeloma bone disease management are pain control and reduction or prevention of further bone destruction
• Bisphosphonates are recommended in all patients with symptomatic myeloma regardless of the presence or absence of bone damage
• Nurses must be aware of the side-effects associated with bisphosphonate treatment, particularly the risk of osteonecrosis of the jaw
• Nurses play a key role, both medical and non-medical, in the overall management of myeloma bone disease
• For more information download our Myeloma Nurse Guide: Myeloma Bone Disease and Myeloma Nurse Guide: Bisphosphonates