A STUDY OF SINGLE FRACTION VERSUS MULTIPLE FRACTIONS OF RADIOTHERAPY FOR PAINFUL BONE METASTASIS

Dr.N.Rajya Lakshmi; Dr.M.Panduranga Kumari

Volume : VIII, Issue : IV, April - 2018

A STUDY OF SINGLE FRACTION VERSUS MULTIPLE FRACTIONS OF RADIOTHERAPY FOR PAINFUL BONE METASTASIS

Dr. N. Rajya Lakshmi, Dr. M. Panduranga Kumari

Abstract :

Objectives : The purpose of this study is tocomparesingle fraction Radiotherapy(8 gray) with multiple fractions Radiotherapy(30 gray in 10 fractions) in the treatment of painful bone metastases in terms of

1.Pain palliation(Verbal Rating Scale)

2.Functional Outcome(ECOG Performance Scale)

3.Analgesic Requirement

4.Duration of Overall Response

Materials and Methods:

In this study 40 patients with painful bone metastases from any primary, localised to single region that could be encompassed in single Radiotherapy field are included.All these metastases are radiologically verified.These 40 patients are randomly divided into two arms with 20 patients in each arm .Arm–A patients received 8 gray of radiotherapy in single fraction,Arm–B patients received 30 gray in 10 fractions at the rate of 3 gray per fraction.A single direct field or two parallel opposed fields are planned depending upon the site of metastases.

Two arms were compared in terms of efficacy of pain palliation(Verbal Rating Scale),Functional Outcome(ECOG Performance Status),Analgesic Requirement,Duration of Overall Response ,before RT ,immediately,1 week,4 weeks,8 weeks,12 weeks after RT.

Results:

Two arms are equal in terms of Pain palliation,Functional Outcome ,Analgesic Requirement,Duration of overall Response.But patients receiving 8 gray in Single fraction arm had lot of social,economic and emotional comfort as the duration of hospital stay is decreased.

Conclusion:

Our study highlights the utility of 8 gray in single fraction as an effective pain palliation method equally efficacious when compared to 30 gray in 10 fractions of fractionated radiotherapy regimen.The advantage of 8 gray in single fraction regimen is being less expensive,patient friendly and decreased duration of hospital stay.