Safety and Efficacy of Palliative Radiotherapy (25 Gy × 5 Fractions) for Symptomatic Pelvic Tumors

Abstract

Background/aim: Palliative radiotherapy is one of the effective treatments for pelvic tumors with bleeding or pain. In this study, we evaluated the safety and efficacy of palliative radiotherapy (RT) for symptomatic pelvic tumors when delivered as 25 Gy in 5 fractions.

Patients and methods: We retrospectively analyzed 34 patients (gynecological cancer: n=14, rectal cancer: n=5, metastatic pelvic bone tumor: n=7, metastatic pelvic lymph node tumor: n=5, synovial sarcoma of the pelvis: n=1, prostate cancer: n=1, and urothelial cancer: n=1), who were treated between July 2016 and July 2021. The symptoms were bleeding in 16 patients, pain in 17 patients, and both bleeding and pain in 1 patient. The hemostatic effect of RT was evaluated with pre- and post-treatment hemoglobin (Hb) values. If the Hb levels reached a nadir and increased thereafter, we considered that there is a hemostatic response. The pain was evaluated with a numerical rating scale (NRS) and treatment response was defined as a decrease in NRS.

Results: Their median follow-up period was 4 months. A hemostatic response was observed in 82% of patients (14 of 17 patients). A pain relief response was observed in 78% of patients (14 of 18 patients). Acute adverse effects (AEs) included grade 1 diarrhea (n=3), grade 1 dermatitis (n=1) and grade 1 urinary frequency (n=1); late AEs have not been observed so far.

Conclusion: 25 Gy of palliative RT in 5 fractions seems to be safe and effective for symptomatic pelvic tumors, similar to conventional palliative RT schedules.

Keywords: 25 Gy/5 fr; Palliative radiotherapy; pelvic tumors.