BONE METASTASES IN BREAST CANCER SINGLE DOSE VERSUS FRACTIONATED PALLIATIVE RADIOTHERAPY

Abstract

The current study was carried out in radiation oncology department, South Egypt Cancer Institute, Assiut University during the period from January 200 I to January 2002 to compare the effect of single dose radiation .therapy (800cGy) with the effect offractionated dose (3000cGy/10) in the palliation of pain and improvement of the quality of life in female patients diagnosed as breast cancer with painful bone metastases: It is a randomized study in which sixty female patients with

established diagnosis of breast cancer with painful bone metastases were randomized in to 2 groups, group A included thirty patients received 800cGy as a single fraction, group B included thirty patients received

3000cGy in I 0 sittings as a multiple fractionated regimen.

Local radiotherapy is a very effective palliative treatment for painfull:r bone metastasis. (Poulsen, H.S., et a! 1989) (Nielsen, O.S. et al 1991) (Rubens, R.D. and Coleman, R.E. 1995).

The patients were evaluated prior to treatment for the following:

* Full history of the disease.

*Clinical exall,lination.

* Radiographic examination of painful bone metastases (Plain X ray

&Bone scintigraphy if we need that).

*Laboratory investigation which include Complete Blood Count (CBC), Liver Function Test (LFT), Kidney Function Test (KFT) and calcium level. *Evaluation of pain, performance status (using ECOG or Zubrod score), mobility and registration of analgesic consumption according to the previously described questionnaire.