Randomized Trial of Palliative Radiation Therapy for Osseous Metastases: A Study of Palliation of Symptoms and Quality of Life

Date de début de l'étude : 1 février 1998

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically proven breast or prostate cancer Radiographic evidence of bone metastasis within 8 weeks of study Eligible treatment sites: Weight-bearing sites: Pelvis (excluding pubis) Femur Sacrum and/or sacroiliac joints Tibia Non-weight-bearing sites: Up to 5 consecutive cervical, thoracic, or lumbar vertebral bodies Lumbosacral spine Up to 3 consecutive ribs Humerus Fibula Radius with/without ulna Clavicle Scapula Pubis If multiple sites are treated, site is included as weight bearing if any of the sites include the pelvis, sacrum, femur, or tibia Worst pain score of at least 5 on a scale of 10 No skull, feet, or hand metastases No spinal cord or cauda equina compression/effacement in vertebral metastases Multiple sites eligible if they can be included in no greater than 3 treatment sites PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: Karnofsky 40-100% Life expectancy: At least 3 months Hematopoietic: Not specified Hepatic: Not specified Renal: Not specified Other: No impending fracture of the treatment site No hematologic primary malignancies Negative pregnancy test PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: No change in immunotherapy within 30 days Chemotherapy: No change in chemotherapy within 30 days Endocrine therapy: No change in hormonal therapy within 30 days Radiotherapy: No prior radiation therapy to treatment area At least 30 days since systemic radiotherapy (Sr 89) Surgery: No prior palliative surgery to treatment area No planned surgical fixation of the bone