Radiotherapy for Painful Bone Metastases: Analyzing Our Practice

ABSTRACT

Background/aims: Palliation of painful bone metastases encompasses a significant portion of radiation treatments. The COVID-19 pandemic has led us to consider shorter courses and hypofractionation. The purpose of this study is to analyze our practice efficacy of single-fraction vs standard multifraction radiotherapy for alleviation of pain in patients with bone metastases. Methods: 178 patients who receive radiation treatment for painful bone metastases from March 2020 to March 2021 were reviewed. We analyze rate of re-irradiation and how the treatment line has been modified throughout the 1 year of the pandemic. Results: Median age was 68 years (range 36-93), 67% males, 33% females. Main primary tumors were 40% lung, 13% prostate and 32% breast. . Advanced disease was detected in 11% as debut. Treatment provided was Only 8 patients required reirradiation, 75% of them had received single fraction. Currently, 62% died. Conclusions: Painful bone metastases is not an oncologic emergency but requires Radiotherapy for symptom management. Radiotherapy has improved quality of life in patients with advanced disease in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, when short radiation therapy cycles prevailed over the long ones. Almost single-fraction has shown to be an effective treatment option for patients with painful bone metastases, conventional multifraction should be considered for patients expected to have relatively long survival. (Table Presented).