Significance of initial "performance status" in patients receiving halfbody radiation

The excellent palliative value of halfbody radiation is well documented. The optimum time to use this modality for palliation of symptoms is unclear. Our department treated 44 evaluable patients with upper and lower halfbody radiation. Stratification according to a modified Karnofsky performance scale revealed an 86% response with a notable increase in median duration of survival in those patients exhibiting an initial performance scale of -1. The optimum benefit from halfbody irradiation is derived when administered at the earliest indicated time.