Single-dose radiotherapy (6 Gy): palliation in painful bone metastases.

Approximately 50% of patients with cancer develop bone metastases and these have an important influence on the quality of life. PURPOSE OF THE STUDY. To evaluate a lower dose than the one already proven to be effective (8 Gy) in the palliation of painful bone metastases. METHODS AND MATERIALS. In a prospective study we analyzed the pain relief, after a single dose of 6 Gy, in 170 patients with painful bone metastases. This was assessed by a questionnaire. RESULTS. A degree of pain relief, was achieved in 88% of the treatments and there was complete relief in 39%. When the treatment was given to the vertebrae, infield spinal cord compression developed in 9%, and when given to the pelvis or femur, infield fractures developed in 8%. CONCLUSION. We concluded that a single dose of 6 Gy was very effective in the palliation of painful bone metastases.