Tacoma, Wash.-based Spectrum Research studied the effectiveness of using bone-promoting growth factor recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein for spinal fusion surgery, according to Medical Xpress.
Researchers analyzed 17,000 patients who underwent spinal fusions for degenerative spine disease between 2002 and 2010. In 4,250 of the surgeries, surgeons used rhBMP to promote new bone growth.
The study then compared subsequent cancer rates between patients who had spinal fusion with rhBMP and without rhBMP.
Spine published the study.
Here are four insights:
1. At a five-year follow-up, researchers found no significant difference existed in the number of patients diagnosed with cancer between the two groups.
2. Of the patients undergoing spinal fusion with rhBMP, 2.76 percent received cancer diagnoses. Of those who did not receive rhBMP, 2.62 perecnt received cancer diagnoses.
3. Based on their study, researchers suggested no connection exists between cancer risk and use of rhBMP in spinal fusions.
4. Researchers caution additional studies must lengthen the follow-up time for proper analysis.