[Palliation of pain from bone metastases with radioactive isotopes]

We summarise the physical and pharmacokinetic properties of the radionuclides used. The effect on pain from bone metastases caused by prostate cancer, breast cancer, and lung cancer is well documented. A review of the literature does not substantiate a clinically significant difference in the palliative effect produced by any of the radionuclides used. The effect achieved with nuclides is the same as that seen after external radiation. Radionuclides seem to reduce the number of new painful sites from bone metastases, and, as such, use of nuclides is expected to reduce the need for repeated external palliative radiation.