[Radiation therapy of osseous metastasis]

Palliative irradiation for bone metastasis is very effective. In more than 80% of the patients the effective pain relief can be obtained by the administration of 20-30 Gy in total dose. A review of the literature as well as our clinical experiences indicates that within wide ranges no optimal radiation schedule or dose exist for reducing pain in bone metastasis. The most important purpose of radiotherapy is not the pain relief bt the prevention of the fracture and the spinal palsy. Therefore, the method and schedule of the radiotherapy should be decided in due consideration of the location of the primary lesion and its extension, the location and extent of the bone metastasis, and the general condition of the patient.