phosphorus-radioisotopes and Pain

This is an update of the review published in Issue 4, 2003. Bone metastasis cause severe pain as well as pathological fractures, hypercalcaemia and spinal cord compression. Treatment strategies currently available to relieve pain from bone metastases include analgesia, radiotherapy, surgery, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, radioisotopes and bisphosphonates.. To determine efficacy and safety of radioisotopes in patients with bone metastases to improve metastatic pain, decrease number of complications due to bone metastases and improve patient survival.. We sought randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, and the PaPaS Trials Register up to October 2010.. Studies selected had metastatic bone pain as a major outcome after treatment with a radioisotope, compared with placebo or another radioisotope.. We assessed the risk of bias of included studies by their sequence generation, allocation concealment, blinding of study participants, researchers and outcome assessors, and incomplete outcome data. Two review authors extracted data. We performed statistical analysis as an "available case" analysis, and calculated global estimates of effect using a random-effects model. We also performed an intention-to-treat (ITT) sensitivity analysis.. This update includes 15 studies (1146 analyzed participants): four (325 participants) already included and 11 new (821 participants). Only three studies had a low risk of bias. We observed a small benefit of radioisotopes for complete relief (risk ratio (RR) 2.10, 95% CI 1.32 to 3.35; Number needed to treat to benefit (NNT) = 5) and complete/partial relief (RR 1.72, 95% CI 1.13 to 2.63; NNT = 4) in the short and medium term (eight studies, 499 participants). There is no conclusive evidence to demonstrate that radioisotopes modify the use of analgesia with respect to placebo. Leucocytopenia and thrombocytopenia are secondary effects significantly associated with the administration of radioisotopes (RR 5.03; 95% CI 1.35 to 18.70; Number needed to treat to harm (NNH) = 13). Pain flares were not higher in the radioisotopes group (RR 0.74; 95% CI 0.27 to 2.06). There are scarce data of moderate quality when comparing Strontium-89 (. This update adds new evidence on efficacy of radioisotopes versus placebo,

Topics: Bone Neoplasms; Fractures, Bone; Humans; Hypercalcemia; Pain; Pain Measurement; Phosphorus Radioisotopes; Radioisotopes; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Ruthenium Radioisotopes; Samarium; Spinal Cord Compression; Strontium Radioisotopes

Treatment of multisite, sclerotic bone metastases is successfully performed by radionuclide therapy. Pain palliation is the most common aim for the treatment. Two radiopharmaceuticals are currently approved by the European Medicines Agency ((153)Sm-EDTMP and (89)Sr-Cl₂) whilst other radiopharmaceuticals are at different stages of development, or are approved in some European countries ((186)Re-HEDP, (117)Snm-DTPA and (223)Ra-Cl₂). The tissues at risk for the treatment are bone marrow and normal bone. A review of the methods applied for dosimetry for these tissues and for tumours is performed, including the calculation of S values (the absorbed dose per decay) and optimal procedures on how to obtain biodistribution data for each radiopharmaceutical. The dosimetry data can be used to individualise and further improve the treatment for each patient. Dosimetry for radionuclide therapy of bone metastases is feasible and can be performed in a routine clinical practice.

Topics: Bone Neoplasms; Humans; Pain; Palliative Care; Phosphorus Radioisotopes; Radiopharmaceuticals; Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted; Radium; Rhenium; Samarium; Strontium Radioisotopes; Tin Radioisotopes

This is an update of the review published in Issue 4, 2003. Bone metastasis cause severe pain as well as pathological fractures, hypercalcaemia and spinal cord compression. Treatment strategies currently available to relieve pain from bone metastases include analgesia, radiotherapy, surgery, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, radioisotopes and bisphosphonates.. To determine efficacy and safety of radioisotopes in patients with bone metastases to improve metastatic pain, decrease number of complications due to bone metastases and improve patient survival.. We sought randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, and the PaPaS Trials Register up to October 2010.. Studies selected had metastatic bone pain as a major outcome after treatment with a radioisotope, compared with placebo or another radioisotope.. We assessed the risk of bias of included studies by their sequence generation, allocation concealment, blinding of study participants, researchers and outcome assessors, and incomplete outcome data. Two review authors extracted data. We performed statistical analysis as an "available case" analysis, and calculated global estimates of effect using a random-effects model. We also performed an intention-to-treat (ITT) sensitivity analysis.. This update includes 15 studies (1146 analyzed participants): four (325 participants) already included and 11 new (821 participants). Only three studies had a low risk of bias. We observed a small benefit of radioisotopes for complete relief (risk ratio (RR) 2.10, 95% CI 1.32 to 3.35; Number needed to treat to benefit (NNT) = 5) and complete/partial relief (RR 1.72, 95% CI 1.13 to 2.63; NNT = 4) in the short and medium term (eight studies, 499 participants). There is no conclusive evidence to demonstrate that radioisotopes modify the use of analgesia with respect to placebo. Leucocytopenia and thrombocytopenia are secondary effects significantly associated with the administration of radioisotopes (RR 5.03; 95% CI 1.35 to 18.70; Number needed to treat to harm (NNH) = 13). Pain flares were not higher in the radioisotopes group (RR 0.74; 95% CI 0.27 to 2.06). There are scarce data of moderate quality when comparing Strontium-89 ((89)Sr) with Samarium-153 ((153)Sm), Rhenium-186 ((186)Re) and Phosphorus-32 ((32)P). We observed no significant differences between treatments. Similarly, we observed no differences when we compared different doses of (153)Sm (0.5 versus 1.0 mCi).. This update adds new evidence on efficacy of radioisotopes versus placebo, (89)Sr compared with other radioisotopes, and dose-comparisons of (153)Sm and (188)Re. There is some evidence indicating that radioisotopes may provide complete reduction in pain over one to six months with no increase in analgesic use, but severe adverse effects (leucocytopenia and thrombocytopenia) are frequent.

Topics: Bone Neoplasms; Fractures, Bone; Humans; Hypercalcemia; Pain; Pain Measurement; Phosphorus Radioisotopes; Radioisotopes; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Ruthenium Radioisotopes; Samarium; Spinal Cord Compression; Strontium Radioisotopes

Metabolic radiotherapy is a new therapy for management of bone pain in patients with bone metastatic prostate carcinoma. Strontium-89 and Samarium-153 concentrate in bone metastases and radiate them. A pain decrease is obtained in 60-70% of cases. Side effects are a significant hematological depression without great clinical consequences if good therapeutic indications are respected. Our multidisciplinary experience of these radionuclides in 54 performed treatments shows a rate of good responders of 66% with a rate of excellent results (total decrease of pain) in 47%. The therapeutic effectiveness is correlated with pain intensity measured by Visual Analogic Scale (VAS) and equivalent dose of morphine. Radionuclide therapy should be applied to patients as early as possible after establishment of bone metastases.

Topics: Adenocarcinoma; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Analgesics, Opioid; Bone Neoplasms; Clinical Trials as Topic; Double-Blind Method; Forecasting; France; Hematologic Diseases; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Organometallic Compounds; Organophosphorus Compounds; Pain; Palliative Care; Phosphorus Radioisotopes; Prospective Studies; Prostatic Neoplasms; Radioisotopes; Radiopharmaceuticals; Rhenium; Samarium; Strontium; Strontium Radioisotopes; Treatment Outcome

Bone metastasis is a common sequella of solid malignant tumors such as prostate, breast, lung, and renal cancers, which can lead to various complications, including fractures, hypercalcemia, and bone pain, as well as reduced performance status and quality of life. A multidisciplinary approach is usually required not only to address the etiology of the pain and its complicating factors but also to treat the patient appropriately. Currently, the treatment of bone pain remains palliative at best with systemic therapy (analgesics, hormones, chemotherapy, steroids, and bisphosphonates) as well as local treatments (such as surgery, nerve blocks, and external beam radiation). However, many of these treatments are limited in their efficacy or duration and have significant side effects that seriously limit the cancer patient's quality of life. Various radiopharmaceuticals have shown good efficacy in relieving bone pain secondary to bone metastasis. This systemic form of metabolic radiotherapy is simple to administer and complements other treatment options. This has been associated with improved mobility in many patients, reduced dependence on narcotic and non-narcotic analgesics, improved performance status and quality of life, and, in some studies, improved survival. Additional radiopharmaceuticals are under investigation and appear promising. All of these agents, although comprising different physical and chemical characteristics, offer certain advantages in that they are simple to administer, are well tolerated by the patient if used appropriately, and can be used alone or in combination with the other forms of treatment.

Topics: Analgesics; Animals; Bone Neoplasms; Humans; Organometallic Compounds; Organophosphorus Compounds; Pain; Phosphates; Phosphorus Radioisotopes; Radioisotopes; Radiopharmaceuticals; Samarium; Strontium; Strontium Radioisotopes

Pain in patients with cancer metastatic to bone is a significant cause of morbidity and of referrals from general practice and specialist physicians. Management typically utilizes radiation therapy and the graduated use of opiate analgesics. Bone-seeking radiopharmaceuticals have provided a new option to these management strategies, which is effective and cost effective. Strontium 89 is now in routine clinical use, while rhenium 186 hydroxyethylidene diphosphonate (HEDP) and samarium 153 ethylenediaminetetramethylene phosphonate (EDTMP) are in Phase III trials and tin 117m (4+) diethylene triaminepentacetic acid (DTPA) is in Phase I trials. Evidence taken primarily from the Strontium 89 trial, shows unsealed source therapy with these bone-seeking radiopharmaceuticals to be effective in palliating pain, improving quality of life, reducing the rate at which new painful sites develop, reducing requirements for additional radiation therapy, and reducing lifetime management costs. Indications and contraindications to therapy have now been defined, and retreatment is an option with all radiopharmaceuticals.

Topics: Bone Neoplasms; Clinical Trials as Topic; Etidronic Acid; Female; Humans; Male; Organometallic Compounds; Organophosphorus Compounds; Pain; Pain Management; Palliative Care; Pentetic Acid; Phosphorus Radioisotopes; Radioisotopes; Rhenium; Safety; Strontium Radioisotopes; Syndrome

Phosphorus-32, employed as the orthophosphate or polyphosphate, can reduce or relieve the pain of osteoblastic metastases without serious hematologic toxicity, especially if used as a single injection. Uptake of this beta-emitter by osteoblastic-reactive bone and possibly by tumor and other cells can lead to pain reduction and often to cell killing. Efficacy has been demonstrated for the treatment of pain in 84% of 322 breast cancer patients and 77% of 444 prostate cancer patients found in a review of the literature. These results match those of the newer radiopharmaceuticals currently under investigation.

Topics: Bone Neoplasms; Humans; Pain; Phosphorus Radioisotopes

Radiosynovectomy (RSO) is widely used in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Commercially available radiopharmaceuticals are costly, and therefore new agents may be of interest. Radiocolloids labelled with less costly and more accessible radionuclides are of interest to developing countries. We investigated the efficacy of different formulations in RA.. In a multicentre effort, a cohort of 99 RA patients with knee involvement underwent RSO. Sixty-eight patients were treated with 184 ± 4 MBq Y-90 silicate (Y-90), 15 patients with 53 ± 11 MBq P-32 colloid (P-32), and 16 patients with 451 ± 110 MBq of Re-188 tin colloid (Re-188). Corticosteroid group (CSG) consisting of 46 patients received an intra-articular instillation of 20-40 mg triamcinolone. Pain response was evaluated by a 10-step visual analogue scale (VAS) before, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months following the procedure.. In the RSO group (n = 99), pain relief by VAS from 6 ± 2 before to 5 ± 3, 4 ± 2, 3 ± 2 and 4 ± 2 at 1, 3, 6, 12 months after RSO was documented (Y-90 group: 6 ± 2 to 3 ± 2; P-32: 5 ± 2 to 3 ± 2, Re-188: 7 ± 2 to 4 ± 2 before vs. 6 months after therapy, respectively). The CSG VAS values were 6 ± 2 before and 5 ± 2, 4 ± 3, 5 ± 2 and 6 ± 2 at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after corticosteroid instillation, respectively. Pain relief achieved with the three radiocolloid formulations did not differ significantly (P > 0.1). Pain relief at 12 months was more durable in RSO compared to CSG, P < 0.05. At 3 months, pain relief (>2 steps) was reported by 86% of RSO versus 67% of CSG, at 6 months 72 versus 46% and at 12 months 46 versus 21%. Side effects, i.e. swelling or transient pain increase, were recorded in 16% of patients but resolved within 1 month.. Therapeutic efficacy of RSO for RA of the knee applying either P-32, Re-188 or Y-90 provides comparable results. Pain relief by RSO is longer lasting as compared to corticosteroid instillation.

Topics: Adrenal Cortex Hormones; Adult; Aged; Arthritis, Rheumatoid; Colloids; Female; Humans; Instillation, Drug; Knee Joint; Male; Middle Aged; Pain; Phosphorus Radioisotopes; Radiosurgery; Rhenium; Synovial Membrane; Triamcinolone; Yttrium Radioisotopes

In normal adults, the maintenance of phosphate balance involves the reabsorption of 85-90% of filtered phosphate by the proximal tubule. At a glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of 125 ml min-1 and a plasma phosphate concentration of 1.3 mmol l-1, the filtered phosphate is approximately 235 mmol day-1. Following intravenous administration, 25-50% of 32P is excreted over 4-6 days in normal subjects. In spite of such extensive renal handling of phosphate and, therefore, of 32P, there are no data in the literature concerning possible 32P-related nephrotoxicity. Adult dosimetry values for the kidney after 32P are reported as 4.8 rad mCi-1 h-1 (0.048 mSev 37 MBq-1 h-1). The entry criteria for 32P therapy insist on a normal serum creatinine value, reflecting awareness of potential renal damage. To answer the fundamental question of whether there is demonstrable renal damage after 32P, we undertook serial measurements of GFR in patients given 32P for treatment of pain from skeletal metastases. Twenty-one patients who had normal pre-treatment renal function as shown by normal serum creatinine values were administered 32P orally in doses ranging from 277.5 to 466.2 MBq, with a mean of 425.5 MBq. Pre-treatment, GFR was estimated with 99Tcm-diethylenetriamine pentaacetate renography using the Gates protocol. Post-treatment, GFR was estimated serially as far as possible, at weeks, 1, 2, 3 and 4 and then every 4 weeks for another 3 months, at which point follow-up ceased. Serum creatinine was assessed pre-treatment and every 2 weeks until the end of follow-up, in addition to all other parameters and a clinical evaluation. Mean pre-treatment GFR was 87.5 ml min-1, with a range of 48.7-110 ml min-1. Not all patients could fulfil the entire follow-up schedule as designed, but we obtained a minimum of four follow-up tests, two before and two after 4 weeks post-treatment. GFR fell to 72% of the pre-therapy value during the first 4 weeks following therapy. By the sixteenth week, however, the mean value had returned to or exceeded the pre-treatment value. There was no change in serum creatinine values. At a time when multiple therapies are being considered, this early depression of GFR may be of importance. A closer assessment of altered renal function may be warranted and other sensitive tests of renal damage like microalbuminuria could be used.

Topics: Adult; Bone Neoplasms; Follow-Up Studies; Glomerular Filtration Rate; Humans; Kidney Diseases; Pain; Palliative Care; Phosphorus Radioisotopes; Time Factors

We report our experience in the use of radionuclides in the treatment of bone metastases in patients with various primary cancers: breast cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer, etc.. Eighty-seven patients (53 women, 34 men) with bone metastases were treated for pain relief with either 32-P (71 patients) or 89-Sr (16 patients). Fifty-three of the patients had breast cancer, 27--rostate cancer, 6--lung cancer and 1--kidney cancer. The patients were examined for side effects when 32-P was administered perorally and 89-Sr injected intravenously. We also studied the changes in the levels of hemoglobin, white blood cells (WBCs) count and platelets count.. We found a significant decrease in the WBC and platelet count in the patients treated with 32-P (U = 2.20, P < 0.05 and U = 4.57, P < 0.001) one month after the therapy. These parameters showed no significant decrease in the group treated with 89-Sr. The pain, which was the rationale to use the radioactive isotopes, was relieved and the patients restored their previous mobility.. The fact that 32-P alleviated the grave symptom of pain at the relatively weak radiation dose used (2 mCi) is a strong indication that this radiopharmaceutical can be used successfully for such a purpose, although some authors argue against its use in view of the myelosuppresion it causes. This myelosuppression, however, is mild and transient even without treatment and patients could benefit from this adjuvant treatment to manage the pain syndrome. 89-Sr administered intravenously in a dose of 4mCi also relieves pain efficiently but its use is limited by the cost of the quantity needed for 1 patient and for a single dose. The National Health Insurance Fund currently reimburses for a very limited quantity of this substance which makes the cost of the procedure 15 times as expensive as that using radioactive phosphorus.. Using the radiopharmaceuticals 32-P and 89-Sr provides an additional, easy and efficacious means for palliation of cancer patients with bone metastases, especially those who are refractory to percutaneous irradiation.

Topics: Bone Neoplasms; Breast Neoplasms; Female; Humans; Leukocyte Count; Lung Neoplasms; Male; Pain; Pain Measurement; Phosphorus Radioisotopes; Platelet Count; Prostatic Neoplasms; Strontium Radioisotopes; Treatment Outcome

Several bone-seeking radiopharmaceuticals, such as 32P-orthophosphate, 89Sr-chloride, 186Re-1,1 hydroxyethylidene diphosphonate (HEDP), and 153Sm-ethylene diamine tetramethylene phosphonic acid (EDTMP), have been used to treat bone pain. The major limiting factor with this modality is bone marrow toxicity, which arises from the penetrating nature of the high-energy beta particles emitted by the radionuclides. It has been hypothesized that marrow toxicity can be reduced while maintaining therapeutic efficacy by using radionuclides that emit short-range beta particles or conversion electrons. In view of the significant clinical experience with 32P-orthophosphate, and the similarity in pain relief afforded by 32P-orthophosphate and 89Sr-chloride, this hypothesis is examined in this study using 32P- and 33P-orthophosphate in a mouse femur model.. Survival of granulocyte macrophage colony-forming cells (GM-CFCs) in femoral marrow was used as a biologic dosimeter for bone marrow. 32P- and 33P-orthophosphate were administered intravenously, and GM-CFC survival was determined as a function of time after injection and, at the nadir, as a function of injected activity. The kinetics of radioactivity in the marrow, muscle, and femoral bone were also determined. The biologic dosimeter was calibrated by assessing GM-CFC survival at its nadir after chronic irradiation of Swiss Webster mice with exponentially decreasing dose rates of gamma rays (relative biologic effectiveness equivalent to that of beta particles) from a low-dose rate 137Cs irradiator. Dose-rate decrease half-times (Td) (time required for 137Cs gamma ray dose rate to decrease by one half) of 62, 255, and 425 h and infinity were used to simulate the dose rate patterns delivered by the radiopharmaceuticals as dictated by their effective clearance half-times from the mouse femurs. These data were used to experimentally determine the mean absorbed dose to the femoral marrow per unit injected activity. Finally, a theoretical dosimetry model of the mouse femur was developed, and the absorbed doses to the femoral marrow, bone, and endosteum were calculated using the EGS4 Monte Carlo code.. When the animals were irradiated with exponentially decreasing dose rates of 137Cs gamma rays, initial dose rates required to achieve 37% survival were 1.9, 0.98, 0.88, and 0.79 cGy/h for dose rate decrease half-times of 62, 255, and 425 h and infinity, respectively. The D37 values were 144 +/- 15, 132 +/- 12, 129 +/- 3, and 133 +/- 10 cGy, respectively, compared with a value of 103 cGy for acute irradiation. When 32P and 33P were administered, the injected activities required to achieve 37% survival were 313 and 2,820 kBq, respectively. Theoretical dosimetry calculations show that 33P offers a 3- to 6-fold therapeutic advantage over 32P, depending on the source and target regions assumed.. The low-energy beta-particle emitter 33P appears to offer a substantial dosimetric advantage over energetic beta-particle emitters (e.g., 32p, 89Sr, 186Re) for irradiating bone and minimizing marrow toxicity. This suggests that low-energy beta or conversion electron emitters may offer a substantial advantage for alleviation of bone pain as well as for specifically irradiating metastatic disease in bone.

Topics: Animals; Bone Marrow; Bone Neoplasms; Cell Survival; Female; Femur; Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor; Mice; Pain; Phosphorus Radioisotopes; Radiation Dosage

32p and 89Sr have been shown to produce significant pain relief in patients with skeletal metastases from advanced cancer. Clinically significant pancytopenia has not been reported in doses up to 12 mCi (444 MBq) of either radionuclide. To date, no reports comparing the relative efficacy and toxicity of the two radionuclides in comparable patient populations have been available. Although a cure has not been reported, both treatments have achieved substantial pain relief. However, several studies have used semiquantitative measures such as "slight," "fair," "partial" and "dramatic" responses, which lend themselves to subjective bias. This report examines the responses to treatment with 32P or 89Sr by attempting a quantification of pain relief and quality of life using the patients as their own controls and compares toxicity in terms of hematological parameters.. Thirty-one patients with skeletal metastases were treated for pain relief with either 32P (16 patients) or 89Sr (15 patients). Inclusion criteria were pain from bone scan-positive sites above a subjective score of 5 of 10 despite analgesic therapy with narcotic or non-narcotic medication, limitation of movement related to the performance of routine daily activity and a predicted life expectancy of at least 4 mo. The patients had not had chemotherapy or radiotherapy during the previous 6 wk and had normal serum creatinine, white cell and platelet counts. 32P was given orally as a 12 mCi dose, and 89Sr was given intravenously as a 4 mCi (148 MBq) dose. The patients were monitored for 4 mo.. Complete absence of pain was seen in 7 of 16 patients who were given 32P and in 7 of 15 patients who were given 89Sr. Pain scores fell by at least 50% of the pretreatment score in 14 of 16 patients who were given 32P and 14 of 15 patients who were given 89Sr. Mean duration of pain relief was 9.6 wk with 32P and 10 wk with 89Sr. Analgesic scores fell along with the drop in pain scores. A fall in total white cell, absolute granulocyte and platelet counts occurred in all patients. Subnormal values of white cells and platelets were seen in 5 and 7 patients, respectively, with 32P, and in 0 and 4 patients, respectively, after 89Sr therapy. The decrease in platelet count (but not absolute granulocyte count) was statistically significant when 32P patients were compared with 89Sr patients. However, in no instance did the fall in blood counts require treatment. Absolute granulocyte counts did not fall below 1000 in any patient. There was no significant difference between the two treatments in terms of either efficacy or toxicity.. No justification has been found in this study for the recommendation of 89Sr over the considerably less expensive oral 32P for the palliation of skeletal pain from metastases of advanced cancer.

Topics: Administration, Oral; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Analgesia; Blood Cell Count; Bone Neoplasms; Humans; Infusions, Intravenous; Male; Middle Aged; Pain; Pain Management; Pain Measurement; Palliative Care; Phosphorus Radioisotopes; Quality of Life; Strontium Radioisotopes

The role of phosphorus-32 (32P) was evaluated in patients experiencing pain due to skeletal metastases from prostate cancer and refractory to other modes of treatment. Twenty patients received 185 MBq (5 mCi)32P intravenously; 12 patients received a single dose each, five patients were injected twice and three patients three times at 3-month intervals. A blood count and clinical assessment for bone pain, tender sites, mobility and analgesic intake were performed before and 4, 8 and 12 weeks after the administration of 32P. A bone scan was performed before and 12 weeks after therapy. The results showed a significant decrease in pain at 4 weeks and a palliative response persisted for up to 12 weeks. Analgesic medication intake decreased significantly (F = 13.2213, P < 0.0001) and mobility improved after therapy. Quantitative analysis of the bone scans showed a statistically significant reduction in osteoblastic activity in metastatic lesions after therapy (t = -3.80, P < 0.001). Transient myelosuppression after 4 weeks, which was statistically significant for WBC and platelet counts only (F = 3.0226, P = 0.0358; F = 6.2514, P = 0.0009 respectively), returned within normal limits by 8 weeks. We conclude that 32P is an effective and safe therapy for pain palliation.

Topics: Aged; Bone Marrow; Bone Neoplasms; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Pain; Palliative Care; Phosphorus Radioisotopes; Prostatic Neoplasms; Safety

Although multiple bony metastases from carcinoma of the prostate are common, widespread pain is a much less frequent complication but one which nevertheless presents considerable difficulties in management. Pain may be severe requiring large doses of narcotic analgesics and may render the patient virtually immobile. A total of 53 treatments with radioactive phosphorus-32 were assessed in 46 patients; in addition, five patients died before response was assessable. A worthwhile response in terms of pain reduction and improved mobility was obtained in 87%. Response was subdivided into good and moderate, with response rates of 53% and 34% respectively. The mean age of patients at treatment was 64.6 years, the median 65 years, and 30% of treated patients were 60 years or under. Median survival in the good, moderate and no response groups was 8, 6.5 and 4.5 months respectively. These differences in survival are not statistically significant. Five-year survival was 4.3%. The treatment is not intended to improve survival but with 87% of patients achieving pain relief, 32P should be considered for the treatment of severe bony pain when other options are limited by the widespread nature of the disease.

Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Bone Neoplasms; Humans; Injections, Intravenous; Male; Middle Aged; Pain; Pain Management; Palliative Care; Phosphorus Radioisotopes; Prostatic Neoplasms; Testosterone

We report a retrospective study of 15 patients with prostate carcinoma and diffuse bone metastases treated with sodium 32P for palliation of pain at Downstate Medical Center and Kings County Hospital from 1973 to 1978. The response rates, duration of response, and toxicities are compared with those of other series of patients treated with 32P and with sequential hemibody irradiation. The response rates and duration of response are similar with both modalities ranging from 58 to 95% with a duration of 3.3 to 6 months with 32P and from 75 to 86% with a median duration of 5.5 months with hemibody irradiation. There are significant differences in the patterns of response and in the toxicities of the two treatment methods. Both methods cause significant bone marrow depression. Acute radiation syndrome, radiation pneumonitis, and alopecia are seen with sequential hemibody irradiation and not with 32P, but their incidence can be reduced by careful treatment planning. Hemibody irradiation can provide pain relief within 24 to 48 h, while 32P may produce an initial exacerbation of pain. Lower hemibody irradiation alone is less toxic than either upper hemibody irradiation or 32P treatment.

Topics: Bone Neoplasms; Humans; Male; Pain; Palliative Care; Phosphorus Radioisotopes; Prostatic Neoplasms; Radiotherapy; Retrospective Studies; Whole-Body Irradiation

The administration of radioactive phosphorus (P-32) for the treatment of pain in metastatic bone lesions from breast cancer shows palliative effects lasting three to nine months. The evolution of the disease is not modified.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Bone Neoplasms; Breast Neoplasms; Female; Humans; Middle Aged; Pain; Palliative Care; Phosphorus Radioisotopes; Testosterone; Time Factors

We studied four patients with posterior brawny scleritis. Two underwent enucleation for suspected melanoma, and in the other two, the correct diagnosis was made and effective therapy begun. Of seven other eyes with brawny scleritis from other sources, five were enucleated after diagnosis of choroidal melanoma and one for suspected intraocular tumor. This experience and other previous reports indicate the high incidence of diagnostic confusion regarding brawny scleritis. We therefore emphasized clinical symptoms and signs of brawny scleritis: inflammation, tenderness or pain of the globe, history of collagen vascular disease, proptosis, bilaterality, and retinal and choroidal detachment. A preserved normal choroidal vascular pattern over an elevated subretinal mass may be indicative of posterior brawny scleritis. Scleral biopsy is useful for tissue diagnosis. Radioactive phosphorus uptake tests and ultrasonography may erroneously indicate choroidal melanoma and lead to enucleation of a potentially salvageable globe.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Choroid Neoplasms; Diagnosis, Differential; Diagnostic Errors; Exophthalmos; Female; Humans; Inflammation; Male; Melanoma; Middle Aged; Pain; Phosphorus Radioisotopes; Retinal Detachment; Sclera; Ultrasonography

Topics: Administration, Oral; Adult; Aged; Blood Protein Disorders; Drug Evaluation; Female; gamma-Globulins; Humans; Immune System Diseases; Male; Middle Aged; Multiple Myeloma; Pain; Phosphorus Radioisotopes

Topics: Bone Neoplasms; Drug Combinations; Drug Evaluation; Humans; Injections, Intravenous; Male; Neoplasm Metastasis; Pain; Palliative Care; Phosphorus Radioisotopes; Prostatic Neoplasms; Testosterone