Abstract | AIMS AND BACKGROUND: METHODS: From January 1994 to December 1998, 43 patients with superior vena cava syndrome, 37 patients with metastatic spinal cord compression and 108 patients with endocranial hypertension secondary to metastasis were treated at our institution. In the group of patients with superior vena cava syndrome, radiotherapy schedules were: 4 Gy x 5 to a total dose of 20 Gy (23 patients) and 3 Gy x 10 to a total dose of 30 Gy (20 patients). In the group of patients with spinal cord compression, radiation schedules were: 3 Gy x 10 to a total dose of 30 Gy (15 patients); 4 Gy x 5 to a total dose of 20 Gy (12 patients); a single fraction of 8 Gy in 10 cases, repeated after 1 week in 7 responder cases to a total dose of 16 Gy. 5 out of 37 patients were underwent to laminectomy plus stabilization of the spine and post-operative radiotherapy. In the group of patients with endocranial hypertension, radiotherapy schedules were: 6 Gy x 2 to a total dose of 12 Gy (53 patients), repeated after 4 weeks in 34 responder patients and 3 Gy x 10 to a total dose of 30 Gy (55 patients). RESULTS: The patients with superior vena cava syndrome, revaluated after 4 weeks at the end of treatment, obtained a partial remission of symptomatology in 73.9% with 20 Gy and in 75% with 30 Gy. The patients with spinal cord compression obtained symptomatic relief in 73.3% with 30 Gy, in 66.6% with 20 Gy and in 70% of cases treated with 8 Gy. The patients with endocranial hypertension obtained symptomatic relief in 64.1% with 12 Gy and in 63.3% with 30 Gy. CONCLUSION: Histology, pretreatment and performance status were important prognostic factors for the response to therapy. Our results demonstrated no significant difference among different schedules of radiotherapy and confirmed the importance of radiotherapy for oncological emergencies: it improves the quality of life and, in responding patients, is associated with a longer survival time.
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Authors | V Donato, P Bonfili, N Bulzonetti, M Santarelli, M F Osti, V Tombolini, E Banelli, R M Enrici |
Journal | Anticancer research
(Anticancer Res)
2001 May-Jun
Vol. 21
Issue 3C
Pg. 2219-24
ISSN: 0250-7005 [Print] Greece |
PMID | 11501850
(Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article)
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Topics |
- Adult
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Dose Fractionation, Radiation
- Female
- Humans
- Intracranial Hypertension
(etiology, radiotherapy)
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Neoplasms
(complications, radiotherapy)
- Spinal Cord Compression
(etiology, radiotherapy)
- Superior Vena Cava Syndrome
(etiology, radiotherapy)
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