Radiotherapy for pain relief in locally recurrent colorectal cancer. |
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Authors: | W H Allum P Mack T J Priestman and J W Fielding |
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Institution: | Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham. |
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Abstract: | Eighteen patients with local recurrence of colorectal cancer have been treated by external beam radiotherapy for pain relief. Seven received a fractionated course of 4500cGy and the remainder received single fractions of 1000cGy, a number being treated more than once. The median survival for all patients once recurrence had produced pain was 7 months. Treatment benefit was recorded in 71% treated by fractionated courses and in 66% by single fractions. The duration of pain relief was 3 months for each method. The repeatability of single fraction treatment indicates that this is a worthwhile alternative technique, particularly for those in poor general condition. |
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