Palliative radiation in advanced cancer patients with symptomatic bone metastases

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Bone metastases are a frequent complication of advanced cancer, the most common cause of cancer-related pain and a source of significant morbidity and mortality. Optimal management can reduce skeletal-related events and improve quality of life.

Areas covered: This article reviews the indications, treatment regimens and outcomes of palliative radiotherapy (RT) for symptomatic complicated and uncomplicated bone metastases, including pain, function and quality of life.

Expert commentary: Patients with a limited number of bone metastases, termed ‘oligometastases’, may be candidates for a stereotactic ablative approach. For the majority, however, conventional external beam radiotherapy is the mainstay of non-invasive treatment. In concert with a multi-disciplinary management approach, RT reduces pain and improves function and quality of life.

KEYWORDS:

• Radiotherapy
• bone metastases
• palliative
• skeletal-related event
• quality of life

Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Additional information

Funding

This paper was not funded.