[Principles, indications and results of radiotherapy of spinal tumors]

In primary and secondary tumors of the spinal column, radiotherapy is used to effect a cure, but mainly the goal is palliative. In the latter case, the course is either accelerated over less than 2 weeks (e.g., 1 dose of 10 Gy, 5 X 4 Gy, 10 X 3 Gy) or extended over 3 or more weeks (e.g., 40-50 Gy over 4-5 weeks). For teletherapy, megavolt radiotherapeutical devices are mainly used. In addition, supplementary brachytherapy is available with iodine-125 or iridium-192 seeds.