Lymphoma treatment or supportive care have been shown to cause a bone complication referred to as avascular necrosis. This term refers to the bone tissue damage due to a lack of blood supply. The most common bones that are affected are the knees, hips, and shoulders.
Be sure to tell your doctor if you feel any symptoms of increased pain and stiffness in the hips or other bones. He or she can order further investigations such as X-rays and or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans to observe the severity of the bone damage. Early detection can lead to early treatments such as a surgical procedure referred to as core decompression where the dead bone is drilled out to stimulate bone and blood vessel regrowth. If avascular necrosis is not caught early and the damage becomes extensive over time, joint replacement surgery may be required.
References:
LymphomaInfo.net. Avascular Necrosis/Osteonecrosis
Mayo Clinic. Diseases and Conditions. Avascular necrosis
Nixon JE. Early diagnosis and treatment of steroid induced avascular necrosis of the bone.
Br Med J (Clin Res Ed). Mar 10, 1984;288(6419):741-744
Ratcliffe MA, Gilbert FJ, Dawson AA, et al. Diagnosis of avascular necrosis of the femoral head in patients treated for lymphoma.
Hematol Oncol. 1995 May-Jun;13(3):131-7
Thorne JC, Evans WK, Alison RE, et al. Avascular necrosis of bone complicating treatment of malignant lymphoma.
Am J Med. 1981 Nov; 71(5):751-8
