The palliative efficacy of a single high dose of radiation in treatment of symptomatic osseous metastases

Abstract

Radiation therapy is effective for palliation of painful metastatic osseous lesions. Various fractionation doses have been previously described. The present study was initiated to evaluate the efficacy of a high single dose of radiation on pain relief, with the goal of reducing the number of radiation sessions to a minimum. Treatment consisted of a high single dose of radiation ranging between 6 to 10 Gy administered to painful osseous metastases. Prior to radiation therapy response to conservative analgesic therapy was minimal in most cases. Response to radiation therapy thereafter was 71.3% lasting up to 6 and 12 months in 37.3% and 20.9% of cases respectively.