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Objectives: Patients with painful bone metastasis treated with palliative radiation therapy (RTH) may require re-irradiation. This work aims at assessing the efficacy and safety of re-irradiation for painful bone metastases using single 8 Gy fractions versus (4 Gy × 5 fractions). Methods: From June 2011 to December 2012, previously irradiated bone metastases were re-irradiated with single 8 Gy fractions (group I) or, 4 Gy × 5 fractions (group II). Pain management index (PMI) was determined. Pearson’s r correlation coefficient was calculated between negative PMI at presentation and age, ECOG Performance Status, sex, and primary cancer site. Results: Two months after RTH, about one fifth of patients achieved no pain, mild pain in 75.5% of the remaining patients and no patient suffered from severe pain. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) between groups (I and II) regarding pain relief. Negative PMI score, was reduced to from 37% at presentation to 25%, at 2 months follow up. A strong negative association between PMI and performance status (p=0.0057, 95% confidence interval between 0.109 and 0.557) was found. Conclusion: Palliative re-irradiation with either single 8 Gy fraction or with, 4 Gy × 5 fractions was effective and safe in pain relief.

Background: Tri-modality bladder sparing therapy in selected bladder cancer patients may be an alternatives treatment option to immediate radical cystectomy as it may result in satisfactory Quality Of Life (QOL). The present study evaluated the effects of this conservative approach versus surgical approach, i.e. Radical Cystectomy (RC) and orthotopic neobladder, on QOL of patients. Patients and methods: This is a prospective study of patients with bladder cancer in group I (using tri-modality bladder sparing therapy) and group II (using RC and orthotopic neobladder). Patients in both groups were subjected to interview NCCN-FACT FBlSI18 questionnaire, inquiring about physical and emotional disease related symptoms, treatment side effects and function and well being. SPSS version18 software was used for statistical analysis. Results: Internal consistency of the 18 items in both groups was assessed by Cronbach’s α which was adequate at 0.89 at Group I and 0.84 at Group II. Univariate analysis showed that there were statistically significant difference (p

Objectives: Conventional fractionated irradiation (CF) has major implications on both patient quality of life and radiotherapy (RT) departments. Hypofractionated (HF) RT schedule would be more convenient for patients and for health care providers. We retrospectively evaluated OAS, DFS, locoregional control, and treatment related toxicities, in patients treated with CF and HF schedules. Methods: This retrospective study analyzed the medical records of female breast cancer patients with infiltrating duct carcinoma, and underwent surgery and received adjuvant systemic and radiation therapies.The schedule of adjuvant radiotherapy was divided into two groups; CF (n = 162), and HF (n = 181).The log-rank test examined differences in OAS and DFS rates. Data of radiation toxicities, and disease relapse in both CF and HF groups were compared using Chi-square test. Results: The median follow up was 42 months (range: 6 - 127 months). Four-year OAS & DFS rates for the whole group were 86.5% & 83.8% respectively. There were no significant differences in 4-year OAS regarding age at diagnosis (p = 0.18, HR 0.66, 95% CI: 0.36 – 1.22), disease stage (p = 0.06), HR status (p = 0.1, HR 0.52, 95% CI: 0.241 – 1.135), type of surgery (p = 0.28, HR 1.44, 95% CI: 0.74 –2.79), and fractionation schedule (p = 0.12, HR 0.63, 95% CI: 0.35 – 1.34). Disease stage (p = 0.032, in favour of early stages) and fractionation schedule (p = 0.039, HR 0.553, 95% CI: 0.315 – 0.970 in favour of HF) were associated with significant differences in 4-year DFS rates. Conclusion: Hypofractionated radiation therapy was safe and resulted in comparable OAS and disease