What's the prognosis for Gorham's disease? Does it go away eventually?
Gorham's disease is a rare condition that causes the destruction and disappearance of bone. This process is called bone osteolysis. Depending on which bone is affected, the result can be severe loss of function and disability.
The disease has two stages. In the first stage, extra blood vessels develop in the connective tissue around the affected bone. Usually only one bone dissolves, but the process can extend into the nearby soft tissues and adjacent bones.
In the second phase of the disease, fibrous tissue takes the place of the missing bone. Without the strong support of the bone, the patient is left with deformities and bone fractures.
There isn't a 100 per cent effective treatment for Gorham's disease yet. Vitamin D, calcium, and bisphosphonates are prescribed. Bisphosphonates are a class of drugs that stops the resorption of bone.
They are used most often to prevent and treat osteoporosis, bone metastasis from cancer, and any other condition with bone fragility. The process of bone destruction can be slowed down by these drugs but not always stopped.
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