Oncology reports
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Review Comparative Study
External beam radiotherapy in bone metastatic prostate cancer: impact on patients' pain relief and quality of life.
Bone metastases are a severe problem in oncology, since they usually are associated with pain. External beam radiation therapy (EBRT) has been, for many years, an important component of the treatment regimen to relieve pain. We have performed a clinical study to evaluate the relationship of response to EBRT in terms of pain relief and improvement in quality of life (QoL). ⋯ Forteen patients of 61 (23%) responders was alive at 12 months. Our results confirm the ability of EBRT to relieve bony pain in the majority of the cancer patients treated as measured by prospective analysis of pain scales prior to and after EBRT. Minimal side effects were experienced and QoL improved as shown by the results of the specific questionnaire.