What Are the Other Names of Bone Pain Palliation Therapy?
Bone pain palliation radionuclide therapy is also known by various names based on the specific therapy agent used. Other names include:
Bone Pain Palliation
- Radio-strontium therapy
- Samarium therapy
What Is Radionuclide Bone Pain Palliation?
Radionuclide bone pain palliation is a radionuclide therapy used for reducing pain due to cancer that has spread to the bone. The radionuclide therapy agent used is targeted to the site of bone metastases after an intravenous injection. This delivers a small amount of radiation to the bone metastases, leading to small amount of cancer shrinkage and reduction of pain due to the bone metastases.
Is Radionuclide Bone Pain Palliation Safe?
Bone pain palliation therapy is relatively safe. However, like all treatments it is not free of side effects and benefit of therapy needs to be measured against risk of side effects before giving this treatment. However, overall the side effect profile is quite encouraging.
In Which Patients Is Bone Pain Palliation Therapy Useful?
Bone pain palliation therapy is most commonly used in patients with metastatic prostate, breast and lung cancer. However, it can be given in all patients which satisfy the criteria governing the use of this therapy.