Radiation Therapy Treats Pain in Patients with Advanced Cancer

Author: University of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences
Published: 2009/11/03
Topic: Treatment of Cancer - Publications List

Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main

Synopsis: Radiation to tumors effectively controls pain in patients with cancer that has spread to the spine.

Introduction

Stereotactic radio-surgery (SRS), a radiation therapy procedure pioneered at the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute (UPCI) that precisely delivers a large dose of radiation to tumors, effectively controls pain in patients with cancer that has spread to the spine, according to researchers from UPCI.

Main Item

The results of the research will be presented this week during the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) annual meeting in Chicago.

The study, led by Dwight E. Heron, M.D., associate professor and vice-chairman of the Department of Radiation Oncology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, compared the effectiveness of single and multi-session treatments of SRS in controlling patients' pain. According to Dr. Heron, cancers can frequently spread to the bone and the spine is the site most commonly involved, which can be extremely painful. "Conventional radiation therapy is not always effective in alleviating bone pain resulting from spread of cancer to the spine. In patients who have previously received radiation, few options for effective treatment exist," Dr. Heron said.

The study reviewed the outcomes of 228 patients treated with SRS at UPCI and Georgetown University Medical Center (GUMC). Patients at UPCI received a single treatment of SRS while patients at GUMC generally received three treatment sessions.

"Both arms of the study successfully proved that SRS is a safe and effective form of treatment for patients with cancer that has spread to their bones, even in patients who had previously received radiation to the spine," said Dr. Heron. "Interestingly, patients who received only one treatment experienced faster onset of pain relief but those who received three treatments experienced relief for longer periods of time. Additionally, patients who received three treatments had less need for re-treatment and greater survival rates."

This study was funded by Accuray, Inc.

As the only NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center in western Pennsylvania, UPCI is a recognized leader in providing innovative cancer prevention, detection, diagnosis, and treatment; bio-medical research; compassionate patient care and support; and community-based outreach services. UPCI investigators are world-renowned for their work in clinical and basic cancer research.

Explore Similar Topics

• - A team of scientists have taken a significant leap forward by developing a label-free SERS-Artificial intelligence method for cancer screening (SERS-AICS).

• - Overexpression of certain genes pointed researchers to a vulnerability that might be exploited to target cancers with aneuploidy.

Citing and References

Founded in 2004, Disabled World (DW) is a leading resource on disabilities, assistive technologies, and accessibility, supporting the disability community. Learn more on our About Us page.

Cite This Page: University of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences. (2009, November 3). Radiation Therapy Treats Pain in Patients with Advanced Cancer. Disabled World (DW). Retrieved April 17, 2025 from www.disabled-world.com/health/cancer/treatment/radiation-therapy-pain.php

Permalink: <a href="https://www.disabled-world.com/health/cancer/treatment/radiation-therapy-pain.php">Radiation Therapy Treats Pain in Patients with Advanced Cancer</a>: Radiation to tumors effectively controls pain in patients with cancer that has spread to the spine.

While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, it's important to note that our content is for general informational purposes only. We always recommend consulting qualified healthcare professionals for personalized medical advice. Any 3rd party offering or advertising does not constitute an endorsement.