Osteolytic lesion

This softened area appears as a hole on X-ray scans due to decreased bone density, although many other diseases are associated with this symptom.

[1] Osteolytic lesions can cause pain, increased risk of bone fracture, and spinal cord compression.

This imbalance is due to a flooding of regulatory factors released by specific tumors, thus overwhelming the tissue repair system and resulting in these lesions.

Zoledronic acid (Reclast) is a specific drug given to cancer patients to prevent the worsening of bone lesions and has been reported to have anti-tumor effects as well.

Bone lesions in multiple myeloma patients may be treated with low-dose radiation therapy in order to reduce pain and other symptoms.