Radyonuclide pain palliation

Abstract

Pain relief in patients with bone metastases is of paramount importance for the clinician. Bone metastases are very frequent causes of intractable pain in cancer patients. Conventional therapeutic methods (chemotherapy, external radiation, analgesics, hormonal therapy) are usually effective to control bone pain in the early period. Since these methods may be insufficient in patients with advanced cancer disease, new therapeutic methods are still warranted. Bone seeking radiopharmaceuticals have provided a new option to these management strategies and have been proven to be effective in patients with widespread bone metastases. Radionuclide therapy is an effective method in the reduction of bone pain, in the enhancement of life quality and in preventing the development of new painful metastatic sites.