Radiotherapy of Bone Metastasis in Breast Cancer Patients Current Approaches

Bone metastases (BM) represent the most frequent indication for palliative radiotherapy in patients with breast cancer. BM increase the risk of skeletal-related events defined as pathological fractures, spinal cord compression, and, most frequently, bone pain. The therapeutic goals of palliative radiotherapy for BM are pain relief, recalcification, and stabilization, reducing spinal cord compression and minimizing the risk of paraplegia. In advanced tumor stages radiotherapy may also be used to alleviate symptoms of generalized bone metastasis. This requires an individual approach including factors, such as life expectancy and tumor progression at different sites. Side effects of radiation therapy of the middle and lower spine may include nausea and emesis requiring adequate antiemetic prophylaxis. Irradiation of large bone marrow areas may cause myelotoxicity making monitoring of blood cell counts mandatory. Radiotherapy is an effective tool in palliation treatment of BM and is part of an interdisciplinary approach. Preferred technique, targeting, and different dose schedules are described in the guidelines of the German Society for Radiooncology (DEGRO) which are also integrated in 2012 recommendations of the Working Group Gynecologic Oncology (AGO).