Onkológia 5/2013

Radiotherapy of bone metastases

External beam radiotherapy is effective component of multimodal treatment of bone metastases. The most prevalent complications include bone pain, pathological fractures and spinal compression. Effectiveness, indications and radiotherapy planning as well as combination with surgery are presented. Irradiation with the single dose of 8 Gy represents optimal intervention supported by evidence and consensus. Bone fractures and spinal cord compression often necessitate combination of surgery and radiotherapy. Several clinical factors including life expectancy must be taken into consideration in clinical decision of primary intervention.

Keywords: bone metastases, pain, spinal cord compression, radiotherapy.