Ways To Treat Osteopetrosis

Osteopetrosis is an inherited bone disease that causes the bones to become too dense. Symptoms can range in severity from mild to life-threatening. Bone contains specialized cells known as osteoclasts, which are responsible for the breakdown of old bone so new, healthy bone can replace it. Individuals with osteopetrosis have a malfunction in their osteoclasts that causes them to fail to break down old bone. The bones overgrow and thicken, and become unstable and easily broken. This overgrowth can put pressure on nerves and can even crowd out the bone's marrow, where vital blood cells are formed. Osteopetrosis can be treated, but it can't be cured. Learn about the treatment methods now.

Bone Marrow Transplant

This is one possible treatment for osteopetrosis in children. It's usually used for the malignant infantile type of the disease, which is the most severe form.

The center of the bones contains marrow, a soft, spongy substance that produces blood cells responsible for such things as immune system support. When osteopetrosis causes such bone thickening that the normal marrow space is severely reduced, healthy blood cells can no longer be made. A bone marrow transplant is a risky procedure and thus is reserved only for those whose bone marrow is all but non-functional. However, if the donor marrow cells successfully repopulate the patient's marrow, they will likely have full bone marrow function again. A bone marrow transplant can also be performed with the patient's stem cells. These are collected beforehand. Before the procedure, the patient's remaining marrow is destroyed with chemotherapy and radiation. Then the donor or stem cells are infused back into the patient, where they settle in the marrow and hopefully begin to grow.

Learn about the next treatment option for osteopetrosis.