Half body irradiation of patients with multiple bone metastases: a phase II trial.

Abstract

AIM OF STUDY:

The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of half-body irradiation (HBI) on pain and quality of life in cancer patients with multiple bone metastases. The secondary aim was to evaluate side effects of the treatment.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

A total of 44 patients received lower (n = 37), upper (n = 5), or sequential HBI (n = 2). The dose for lower HBI was 8 Gy in one fraction and for upper HBI 7 Gy in one fraction, with reduction of the lung dose to 6 Gy in one fraction by partial shielding. The majority of patients (n = 41) were males with prostate cancers (93%). Outcome and side effects were measured by the EORTC Quality of Life Questionnaire C30 (QLQ-C30), and by the doctors' toxicity scores in the medical record. Pain relief was defined as a reduction of more than 10 points on the QLQ-C30 scale. Evaluations were performed before and 2, 4, 8, 16, and 24 weeks after treatment.

RESULTS:

Relief of pain was observed in 76% of the patients receiving HBI with 8.8% of the patients experiencing complete pain relief with no residual pain in the treated field. For most patients, the pain relief was lasting throughout the follow-up period. About one third of the patients were able to reduce their intake of analgesics. Grade 1-2 diarrhoea was the most common side effect observed in 49% of the patients two weeks after treatment. Mild pulmonary symptoms (grade 1-2) were observed in four of seven patients receiving upper HBI. No clear effect was observed on the patients' global quality of life.

CONCLUSION:

Single fraction HBI is safe and effective providing long lasting pain reduction in 76% of patients with multiple bone metastases.

• Authors: Randi S Berg, Mette K Yilmaz, Morten Høyer, Nina Keldsen, Ole S Nielsen, Marianne Ewertz
• Journal: Acta oncologica (Stockholm, Sweden) (Acta Oncol) Vol. 48 Issue 4 Pg. 556-61 ( 2009) ISSN: 1651-226X [Electronic] England
• PMID: 18979285 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Phase II, Journal Article)

Topics

• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Bone Neoplasms (complications, radiotherapy, secondary)
• Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Hemibody Irradiation (adverse effects, methods)
• Humans
• Lung (radiation effects)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Pain (etiology, prevention & control)
• Prostatic Neoplasms (pathology)
• Quality of Life
• Surveys and Questionnaires
• Treatment Outcome