Korean J Hosp Palliat Care.  2009 Mar;12(1):1-4.

Palliative Radiotherapy

• Lee CG

Abstract

The aim of palliative radiotherapy (RT) is to control cancer-related local symptoms with minimal radiation reaction. About one third of all radiation treatments are given with palliative intent. Indications for RT in symptom palliation are as follows: Pain from bone metastasis, pressure symptom from brain and spinal cord, obstruction of bronchus, esophagus, superior vena cava and malignant cancer bleeding from bronchus, urinary tract, uterine cervix and rectum. In hospice palliative care, RT is very effective for symptom palliation and improvement of quality of life without influence on survival.

Keyword

Palliative radiotherapy; Bone pain

MeSH Terms

Brain
Bronchi
Cervix Uteri
Esophagus
Female
Hemorrhage
Hospices
Neoplasm Metastasis
Palliative Care
Quality of Life
Rectum
Spinal Cord
Urinary Tract
Vena Cava, Superior