Endocrinology

Answer 6 It can be complicated by osteosarcoma. The incidence of osteosarcoma is increased in patients with Paget’s disease, although it is still less than 1%. When osteosarcoma does occur, it is highly malignant, and the prognosis is poor. Paget’s disease is equally represented in both men and women and is characterized by different patterns of abnormal bone architecture. The only biochemical test with results out of the normal range in patients with the disorder is measurement of alkaline phosphatase level (which is increased).3 Patients can experience bone pain and bowing of the peripheral bones, but these findings are usually unrelated to other medical problems, including chemotherapy for any cancer. REFERENCE 3. Delmas PD, Meunier PJ. The management of Paget’s disease of bone. N Engl J Med 1997;336:558-66. Click here to return to the questions

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