Elsevier

Radiotherapy and Oncology

Volume 36, Issue 3, September 1995, Pages 198-202
Radiotherapy and Oncology

Original paper
Single-dose radiotherapy (6 Gy): palliation in painful bone metastases

https://doi.org/10.1016/0167-8140(95)01587-7Get rights and content

Abstract

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.

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