| The osteoporosis drug Fosamax was recently | | | | * connective tissue disease |
| delivered a "one-two punch" regarding severe | | | | * liver disease |
| dangers associated with the drug. First, the New | | | | * kidney disease |
| England Journal of Medicine reported that nearly 23 | | | | * lupus |
| instances of esophageal cancer have been reported | | | | * smoking |
| as a side effect of Fosamax. Then, in an issue of the | | | | * pancreatitis |
| American Dental Association, were reports that the | | | | * blood clotting disorders |
| drug's jaw die off risk is actually more common than | | | | * corticosteroids in high dosages |
| initially thought. The jaw bone die off is actually | | | | If an individual feels they may be a victim of the |
| known as a disease that affects around 20,000 | | | | condition, there are several steps that can be taken |
| Americans each year and is osteonecrosis. | | | | to diagnose osteonecrosis including: |
| The link of the most recent findings to the Fosamax | | | | * X-ray |
| drug from Merck and Co. increases the list of | | | | * magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) |
| Fosamax risks associated with the drug since it | | | | * bone scan |
| became available on the market. Fosamax, which is | | | | * computed tomography (CT) |
| the generic name for Alendronate, that became | | | | * biopsy |
| available in 2001, is often prescribed to osteoporosis | | | | Details of Esophageal Cancer and Fosomax |
| patients as well as postmenopausal women who | | | | The National Cancer Institute (NCI) defines |
| suffer from bone density loss. | | | | esophageal cancer as "a cancer that forms in tissues |
| An ABC news report on the drug and the recent | | | | lining the esophagus, which is the muscular tube |
| studies speculated on the potential upcoming public | | | | through which food passes from the throat to the |
| perception of Fosamax and how the "one-two | | | | stomach." It is estimated that in 2008 approximately |
| punch" may affect the company. One ABC News | | | | 16,470 individuals will suffer from a new esophageal |
| contributor, Dr. Marie Savard, said that the jaw bone | | | | cancer diagnosis and approximately 14,280 deaths will |
| die off may be "the tip of the iceberg... the drugs do | | | | result from this cancer, which is a fatality rate of |
| change bone structure and growth." | | | | nearly 86 percent. |
| Developing Osteonecrosis | | | | Esophageal cancer can be treated in a variety of |
| According to the National Osteonecrosis Foundation | | | | ways including immuno therapy and vaccine therapy |
| and the Center of Osteonecrosis Research and | | | | as well as chemotherapy and radiation. Additionally, |
| Education, the condition commonly affects individuals | | | | the NCI reported that "when esophageal cancer is |
| between the ages of 20 and 50 years old, most | | | | found very early, there is a better chance of |
| often affecting individuals in their late 30s. The | | | | recovery... and at later stages, esophageal cancer can |
| disease is described as "death of bone which can | | | | be treated but rarely can be cured." |
| occur from the loss of the blood supply or by some | | | | Receive Fosamax Assistance |
| other means." The following are potential causes of | | | | Patients who currently suffer from the severe |
| the condition: | | | | Fosamax risks can find relief by contacting a medical |
| * dislocations | | | | professional immediately to halt consumption of the |
| * caisson disease | | | | drug as well as to locate an experienced medical |
| * sickle cell disease | | | | attorney specializing in pharmaceutical dangers such |
| * post-irradiation | | | | as that associated with Fosamax. |
| * chemotherapy | | | | Locating a pharmaceutical lawyer with knowledge of |
| * arteial disease | | | | Fosamax may alleviate the pain endured by a |
| * gaucher?s disease | | | | Fosamax victim as well as increase the chances of |
| * alcohol | | | | earning monetary compensation. |
| * lipid disturbances | | | | |