Onkologie. 2020:14(6):271-277 | DOI: 10.36290/xon.2020.092

Palliative Radiation Therapy in Symptom Management of Advanced Cancer

Zdeňka Pechačová¹, Jitka Končeková², Radka Lohynská^1,3, Miloslav Pála¹, Ferdinand Třebický¹, Zdenka Weitoschová¹

¹ Ústav radiační onkologie 1. LF UK a Nemocnice Na Bulovce, Praha

² Oddělení radiační ochrany Všeobecné fakultní nemocnice v Praze

³ Onkologická klinika 1. LF UK a Thomayerovy nemocnice, Praha

Background: Radiotherapy is a mainstay of oncology treatment. This method improves local control of disease and relieves symptoms of metastatic cancer.

Patients and methods: The effect (according to symptom palliation and imaging methods) and toxicity (according to Radiation Therapy Oncology Group criteria) of palliative radiotherapy were evaluated in several groups of patients from more departments: Department of Oncology of General University Hospital in Prague (OK VFN), Institute of Radiation Oncology of Na Bulovce Hospital, Prague (ÚRO NNB) and Department of Oncology of Motol Hospital, Prague (OK FNM).

Results: Two groups of patients irradiated for lung cancer with palliative intent, in both groups symptoms were well palliated in 22 (75,9 %) (OK VFN) and 38 (64,4 %) (ÚRO NNB) patients respectively. Overall, 91 patients received irradiation for bone metastases (OK VFN) and pain relief was achieved in 72 (79,2 %) cases. After whole brain radiotherapy for brain metastases (OK FNM) the greater profit was found in patients in better condition (Karnofsky index > 70 %) compared to patients with Karnofsky index < 70 % - survival in 6 months after treatment was 40 %, resp. 5 %. In the group of patients with advanced cervical cancer (ÚRO NNB) the symptoms palliation (pain, bleeding) was observed in 18 (69,2 %) patients and the survival benefit after delivering higher radiation dose was confirmed.

Conclusion: Palliative radiotherapy provided excellent symptom control in our groups of patients, with minimal toxicity.

Keywords: palliative radiotherapy, palliative care, radiotherapy, lung neoplasms, bone metastases, brain metastases, cervical cancer.

Published: January 8, 2021  Show citation