External Beam Radiation Therapy Effective in Providing Bone Metastases Pain Relief

10/20/2003

From: Beth Bukata, 703-227-0141, Katherine Egan Bennett, 703-227-0156, both of the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology

WASHINGTON, Oct. 20 -- A single treatment of external beam radiation therapy is very effective in providing relief for painful bone metastases from breast and prostate cancers, according to a new study presented October 20, 2003, at the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology's Annual Meeting in Salt Lake City.

This randomized prospective phase III study of palliative external beam radiotherapy was conducted for patients with breast or prostate cancer and painful bone metastases. More than 160 hospitals and universities in the United States and Canada participated in the study. Eligible patients, 897 of the 949 enrolled, had moderate to severe pain, radiographic evidence of bone metastases at a painful site, a life expectancy of more than 3 months, no prior surgery or palliative external beam radiation therapy to that site and no change in systemic therapy for 30 days. The group was evenly divided between women with breast cancer and men with prostate cancer and patient pre-treatment characteristics were equally balanced between the two treatment arms. "This is good news for patients with pain from cancer. Radiation therapy was effective in significantly reducing pain in two-thirds of these patients. Treatment with a single larger dose was just as effective as the longer treatment course of 10 treatments in 2 weeks. There were very few side effects from the treatments as well," said William F. Hartsell, M.D., a radiation oncologist at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, Ill., and lead author in the study. "We also found that 33 percent of the patients no longer needed narcotic medications."

If you would like a copy of the abstract entitled, "Phase III Randomized Trial of 8 Gy in 1 Fraction vs. 30 Gy in 10 Fractions for Palliation of Painful Bone Metastases," or if you would like to speak with the lead author of the study, William F. Hartsell, M.D., please call Beth Bukata at the ASTRO Press Room after October 18 at the Salt Palace Convention Center at 801-534-4753 or e-mail her at bethb@astro.org.

The American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology is the largest radiation oncology society in the world, with more than 7,000 members who specialize in treating patients with radiation therapies. As a leading organization in radiation oncology, biology and physics, the Society's mission is to advance the practice of radiation oncology by promoting excellence in patient care, providing opportunities for educational and professional development, promoting research and disseminating research results and representing radiation oncology in a rapidly evolving socioeconomic healthcare environment.