Abstract

To determine the effectiveness of radiotherapy for the palliation of pain in metas- tatic bone disease, we retrospectively analyzed the treatment results in 32 patients who received short-courae radiotherapy(2000 rad/I wk vs. 3000 rad/2 wk) in the dept. 'of Therapeutic Radiology, Seoul National University Hospital from Feb. 1979 to Oct. 1981. The results are as follows; 1, The incidence of metastatic bone tumor was highest in pelvis and thoracic spine, 27 and 24%., respectively. 2, Lung, kidney, stomach, breast and cervix were the primary sites, in order of frequency. 3. Overall response rate was 92% with excellent response in 48%. 4, There was no significant difference between the dose-fraction schedules of 2000 rad in 1 week and 3000 rad in 2 weeka. 6. We concluded that 2000 rad in 1 wk is at least as effective as 3000 rad in 2 weeks :in the palliation of bone metastasis.