Shorter Radiation Course Okay for Bone Cancer Pain

"NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Severe pain can occur when a cancer spreads to the bones. Now, new research indicates that a single dose of radiation is a suitable alternative to the 10 daily doses that is usually given to control such pain."

898 patients with bone mets from breast or prostate cancer were randomised to receive the single (8 Grays at once) or the normal multiple dose (30 Grays altogether) protocol.

Comparison

Moderate-to- severe side effects: 10% single dose, 17% normal dose.
Long-term side effect rate and cancer-related fractures: 4% for each problem for each group.
Similar complete and partial response rates.
Retreatment: 18% of single dose, twice rate of control.

Thought it might be of interest to those of you who have a long way to travel for radiotherapy.

For more info, see URL.