ABSTRACT
Radiation therapy plays an important role in both curative and palliative cancer treatment.
Palliative radiation therapy is given to alleviate symptoms, restore function, relieve
suffering caused by cancer, and improve quality of life. Pain relief, control of bleeding
or ulceration, prevention of impending compression or obstruction from tumor, and
shrinkage of tumor masses causing symptoms are indications for palliative radiotherapy.
Palliative radiotherapy is a very effective tool in alleviating pain symptoms and
generally well tolerated. Common fractionation schemes are 8 Gy delivered in one fraction
and 30 Gy delivered in 10 fractions. This article discusses general principles of
administering palliative radiation therapy. Site-specific treatment is addressed,
divided into palliative radiotherapy for brain metastases, spinal cord compression,
and bone metastases. In each of these areas, we discuss presentation, management,
and therapeutic strategies.
KEYWORDS
Palliative care - brain metastases - whole brain radiotherapy - spinal cord compression
- bone metastases
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Samir V SejpalM.D. M.P.H.
Chief Resident, Department of Radiation Oncology, Northwestern University
251 E. Huron Street, L-178, Chicago, IL 60611
eMail: Samir_Sejpal@yahoo.com
