JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.
Palliative radiation therapy : a retrospective study

Author
Keyerleber, Michele A.
Abstract
Palliative radiation therapy protocols, indications, goals, outcomes, prognoses, performance scaling, and toxicities were investigated in 95 patients. The most common protocol was 8 Gy x 4 fractions = 32 Gy, however median survival was longest with a 6 Gy x 5 fractions = 30 Gy protocol. The main indication was found to be a tumor not amenable to definitive therapy and the main goal was relief of cancer-related symptoms. Tumor response was most commonly stable disease. Despite performance scoring, survival predictions were generally inaccurate but overly pessimistic for grave prognoses. Neither toxicity prevalence nor tumor response was significantly different between the common protocols, which were well tolerated with no significant toxicities appearing below 24 Gy. Above this, ulceration was most prevalent but seldom outlasted patient survival, thereby making palliative radiation a valuable modality in end-stage cancer treatment.
Journal/Series
Senior seminar paper Seminar SF610.1 2008 K49
Date Issued
2007-09-19Subject
Radiotherapy; Neoplasms -- Radiotherapy
Type
term paper