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The effectiveness of strontium 89 in the treatment of pain caused by bone metastases in patients with prostate cancer
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Abstract
Material and methods. The study included 70 patients (aged 53–84) with prostate cancer and multiple bone metastases detected by scintigraphy and by radiogram - type of metastases (osteoblastic - 55 patients, osteolytic-osteoblastic - 15 patients). Before strontium therapy 34 out of 70 patients received radiotherapy to the spine to prevent spinal cord compression. For assessment of therapy effectiveness; pain relief (VAS scale), a reduction in analgesic use and motor activity (ECOG and Karnofsky scale) were evaluated.
Results. We have observed statistically significant pain relief and that the analgesic use decreased to 50% of dose on average. The motor activity of the points evaluated according to ECOG scale and Karnofsky scale was much better (p < 0.05).
Conclusions. We conclude that palliative therapy using strontium 89 is effective (88% "good" and "moderate" response rate) and safe for bone pain palliation in patients with multiple prostate cancer bone metastases; it may also improve quality of life.
Abstract
Material and methods. The study included 70 patients (aged 53–84) with prostate cancer and multiple bone metastases detected by scintigraphy and by radiogram - type of metastases (osteoblastic - 55 patients, osteolytic-osteoblastic - 15 patients). Before strontium therapy 34 out of 70 patients received radiotherapy to the spine to prevent spinal cord compression. For assessment of therapy effectiveness; pain relief (VAS scale), a reduction in analgesic use and motor activity (ECOG and Karnofsky scale) were evaluated.
Results. We have observed statistically significant pain relief and that the analgesic use decreased to 50% of dose on average. The motor activity of the points evaluated according to ECOG scale and Karnofsky scale was much better (p < 0.05).
Conclusions. We conclude that palliative therapy using strontium 89 is effective (88% "good" and "moderate" response rate) and safe for bone pain palliation in patients with multiple prostate cancer bone metastases; it may also improve quality of life.
Keywords
bone metastases; pain; strontium 89; radioisotope therapy
About this articleTitle
The effectiveness of strontium 89 in the treatment of pain caused by bone metastases in patients with prostate cancer
Journal
Advances in Palliative Medicine
Issue
Vol 2, No 3 (2003): Polish Palliative Medicine
Pages
141-146
Published online
2003-05-29
Page views
598
Article views/downloads
1571
Bibliographic record
Advances in Palliative Medicine 2003;2(3):141-146.
Keywords
bone metastases
pain
strontium 89
radioisotope therapy
Authors
Maciej Bączyk
Piotr Milecki
Ewa Bączyk
Jerzy Sowiński