Single-dose radiotherapy (6 Gy): palliation in painful bone metastases.
Approximately 50% of patients with cancer develop bone metastases and these have an important influence on the quality of life. PURPOSE OF THE STUDY. To evaluate a lower dose than the one already proven to be effective (8 Gy) in the palliation of painful bone metastases. METHODS AND MATERIALS. In a prospective study we analyzed the pain relief, after a single dose of 6 Gy, in 170 patients with painful bone metastases. This was assessed by a questionnaire. RESULTS. A degree of pain relief, was achieved in 88% of the treatments and there was complete relief in 39%. When the treatment was given to the vertebrae, infield spinal cord compression developed in 9%, and when given to the pelvis or femur, infield fractures developed in 8%. CONCLUSION. We concluded that a single dose of 6 Gy was very effective in the palliation of painful bone metastases.
Institute for Radiotherapy, R.T.I.L., Heerlen, The Netherlands.
J M
JM
Uppelschoten
S L
SL
Wanders
J M
JM
de Jong
D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000556:secondary*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010166:Palliative Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D013534:Survival