Radiation therapy for metastatic spinal tumors.
OBJECTIVE
The results of radiation therapy for metastatic spinal tumors were evaluated in terms of pain relief, improvement of neurological impairment, and survival.


METHODS
Between 1986 and 1995, 52 symptomatic patients with metastatic spinal tumors treated with radiation therapy were evaluated. The patients all received irradiation of megavoltage energy. Therapeutic efficacy was evaluated in terms of pain relief and improvement of neurological impairment.


RESULTS
Pain relief was observed in 29 (61.7%) of 47 patients with pain. Therapy was effective for 17 (70.8%) of 24 patients without neurological impairment, and efficacy was detected in 12 (52.2%) of 23 patients with neurological impairment. Improvement of neurological symptoms was obtained in seven (25.0%) of 28 patients with neurological impairment.


CONCLUSIONS
Radiation therapy was effective for pain relief in patients with metastatic spinal tumors. In patients with neurological impairment, less pain relief was observed than in those without impairment. Improvement of neurological impairment was restricted, but radiation therapy was thought to be effective in some cases in the early stage of neurological deterioration. Radiation therapy for metastatic spinal tumors contraindicated for surgery was considered effective for improvement of patients' activities of daily living.
Kida
A
A
Department of Radiology, Osaka City University Medical School, Osaka, Japan.
Taniguchi
S
S
Fukuda
H
H
Sakai
K
K
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000556:secondary; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000556:secondary; D018288:Carcinoma, Small Cell / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000556:secondary; D019583:Dose Fractionation, Radiation; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D010146:Pain / Q000517:prevention & control; D010166:Palliative Care; D010243:Paralysis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D010264:Paraplegia / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D011882:Radiotherapy, High-Energy; D012678:Sensation Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D013125:Spinal Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000556:secondary*; D015996:Survival Rate