title: A prospective trial of short-fractionation radiotherapy for the palliation of liver metastases.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to prospectively examine the effectiveness and tolerability of a simple radiotherapy technique for the palliation of symptomatic liver metastases. Twenty-eight patients with symptomatic liver metastases were enrolled from seven centres, and received targeted (partial or whole) liver irradiation consisting of 10 Gy in two fractions over 2 days. Symptoms at baseline were hepatic pain (27 patients), abdominal distension (19), night sweats (12), nausea (18) and vomiting (eight). Twenty-two patients (76%) had failed previous treatment with chemotherapy, hormonal therapy and/or high-dose steroids. Symptoms and potential toxicities were prospectively assessed at the time of treatment, then 2, 6 and 10 weeks later. Individual symptom response rates were 53-66% at 2 weeks. Partial or complete global symptomatic responses were noted in 15 patients (54%) overall. The treatment was well tolerated with two patients (7%) experiencing grade 3 toxicity (one vomiting and one diarrhoea); however, four patients reported temporary worsening of pain shortly after treatment. This simple and well-tolerated treatment achieves useful palliation.
authors.affiliation: Radiation Oncology, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Western Australia, Australia. Sean.Bydder@health.wa.gov.au
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bydder
authors.forename: N A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Spry
authors.forename: D R H
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Christie
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Roos
authors.forename: B H
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Burmeister
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Krawitz
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Joseph
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Poulsen
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Berry
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019583:Dose Fractionation, Radiation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000556:secondary*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010166:Palliative Care; D011446:Prospective Studies