Management of bone metastases with radiation therapy.

Bone metastases (BM) are experienced nearly by one of two of all cancer patients either at presentation or during the disease course. As a fundamental rule, because treatment of BM usually aims to palliate, the cardinal objectives of treatment should incorporate the attainment of a rapid and durable pain relief with preserved mobility and functionality without causing significant toxicity. With its favorable toxicity profile and an overall response rate of greater than 80%, radiotherapy (RT) is a wellrecognized as a palliative measure for treatment of BM. The present article will exclusively focus on the role of RT in the management of BM with a specific emphasis on the ongoing debate of fractionation and total dose schemes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]