Kapoor, A., Singhal, M.K., Bagri, P.K., Nirban, R.K., Maharia, S., Narayan, S., & Kumar, H.S. (2015). Comparison of single versus multiple fractions for palliative treatment of painful bone metastasis: First study from north west India. Indian Journal of Palliative Care, 21, 45–48.
To compare pain outcomes with two different radiotherapy dosing schedules for pain associated with bone metastases
Referred patients were allocated to two different dosage groups based on the discretion of the radiation oncologist. Pain was assessed at the end of treatment and on days 8, 15, and 30 in follow-up.
Prospective study
In total, 62% of patients received a single fraction of 8 Gy and the rest had 10 fractions of 3 Gy. There were no significant differences between these groups in overall pain reduction.
Single and multiple fraction radiation therapy schedules provided similar results for the control of pain from bone metastases.
Single fraction radiotherapy for pain control appeared to be as effective as multiple fraction dosing. Single fraction dosing may provide a more practical and convenient alternative for pain control. There could be differences in adverse effects, which were not discussed in this report.