Results and costs of single dose versus fractionated palliative radiotherapy of bone metastasis

The skeleton is the most common site of metastatic disease in most solid tumors. Local field irradiation yields a pain relief rate of 80% to 90% however effectiveness alone is not a sufficient basis to initiate services in most practical health care contexts. Cost effectiveness analysis [CEA] can combine information on the health benefits, health risks, and costs of health care services. This study aimed to evaluate results and cost - effectiveness of single [8 Gy / 1 F] dose versus fractionated [30 Gy / 10 F] palliative radiotherapy of bone metastasis. The study included 86 patients randomized into 2 groups. There was no statistically significant difference between the 2 groups in pain relief after 1 week, 6 weeks and 3 months. Also; there was no relation between site of metastasis and pain relief. The 8 Gy / 1 F was more cost - effective than the 30 Gy / 10 F irradiation in palliating painful bone metastasis and we concluded that single fraction radiotherapy may be considered as the palliative treatment of choice for cancer patients with painful bone metastasis at least when long survival is not expected

Epithelial ovarian cancer: clinico pathological features and early results of treatment of advanced stages in Suez Canal University

This study was conducted to identify the clinicopathological pattern of ovarian cancer in Suez Canal University Center of Oncology and Nuclear Medicine [SCUCON] and to assess response of advanced stage epithelial ovarian cancer to the given treatment. Ovarian cancer constituted 1.7% of all cases presented to [SCUCON] during the years 1995-2002 [74 out of 4348 cases]. Epithelial tumors accounted for 92% of them [68 out of 74 cases]. Stages III and IV accounted for 67.6% [46/68] Cytoreductive surgery was done and adjuvant chemotherapy was given to all patients.69.6% of cases [32/46] received [Cyclophosphamide + Platinol +/- Adriamycin] regimen, whereas 30.4% of cases [14/46] received [Taxol + Carboplatin]. Complete Remission [CR] was 25% and 21.4% of the 2 groups respectively, whereas partial remission [PR] was encountered in 31.25% and 42.9% of the same groups respectively. Twenty percent of both groups showed no response or stable disease. The disease progressed in 21.7% of both groups in spite of treatment. The pretreatment characteristics that remain independently significant in the analysis were; residual tumor [<1.5cm versus >1.5cm], tumor stage [III versus IV], and performance status