Single versus multiple fractions of palliative radiotherapy for bone metastases: A randomized clinical trial in Iranian patients

[摘要] Aim. To compare single versus multiple fractions of radiotherapy (RT) for palliation of bone metastases in Iranian patients. Patients and methods. Adult patients with painful multiple uncomplicated bone metastases were randomized to 8 Gray (Gy) in a single fraction or 30 Gy in 10 fractions. Patient’s pain was evaluated just before and again one month after the end of RT, and graded on a scale of 1-4. Mean reduction in pain grade and the palliative response were compared in the two groups. Results. Fifty-eight patients (31 multiple fractions, 27 single fraction) were available for evaluation of pain one month after treatment. The reduction in grade of pain was -0.8 to 2.6 with a mean of 1.1. The mean reduction of pain was 1.4 in patients ?50 years and 0.9 in those >50 years (p=0.01). There were 8 (14%) complete responses, 33 (57%) partial responses and 17 (29%) no responses, with a response rate of 71%. The mean reduction in pain and the number of responses in the two groups were not statistically different (p>.01). Patients’ gender, primary tumor, RT site and fractionation did not have any significant effect on reduction of pain. The only factor with a significant effect was age (p=0.002). Conclusions. There was no difference in palliative response among Iranian patients with uncomplicated bone metastases treated with a single fraction versus 10 fractions of palliative RT. Younger patients responded better.

[学科分类] 肿瘤学