Radiation for Treatment of Painful Bone Metastases

Several variables may be considered when deciding on optimal modality of radiation therapy for each cancer patient with bone pain, including prognosis, tumor histology, location and extent of metastases, and association with cord compression. Hypofractionated external beam radiation therapy is as effective as a multiple fraction radiotherapy course in most cases, although retreatment rates are higher after a single dose of radiation. Stereotactic body radiation may be used in cases of oligometastatic disease, repeat irradiation, and radiation-resistant tumors. Radiopharmaceuticals may be used for pain from diffuse bone metastases and have an overall survival benefit in patients with castrate-resistant prostate cancer.

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