The cobalt-60 irradiation of skeletal metastases--conventional fractionation versus accelerated hyperfractionation
Schratter-Sehn, A.U.; Kielhauser, R.
Strahlentherapie und Onkologie Organ der Deutschen Rontgengesellschaft . 167(2): 89-92
1991
ISSN/ISBN: 0179-7158 PMID: 1705725 Document Number: 387703
Purpose of this study was to compare the results of two different modalities of palliative radiation i.e. conventional fractionated (group I: 35 patients) vs. hyperfractionated radiation (group II: 20 patients). Group I received 1.8 to 2.3 Gy one time a day (total dose 30 to 40 Gy), with an average treatment duration of 20 days. Group II received 1.8 to 2 Gy two times a day (total dose 25 to 35 Gy), with an average treatment duration of ten days. Regression of complaints occurred in 80% of group I, with an average of twelve days, and in 95% of group II, with an average onset of four days after beginning of treatment. Neither acute nor long term complications did occur in any group. The advantages of the hyperfractionated radiation modality therefore are on one hand a higher regression-rate of subjective complaints, with equal good recovery of clinical and radiological findings and lack of side-effects especially those of the myelon, and on the other hand are resulting in a shortening of hospitalisation.