Table 1.
Randomized trials that compared single-fraction to multi-fraction short-course radiotherapy
| Trial | Overall pain response | Complete pain relief | Re-irradiation rate | Pathological fracture rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cole 1989 (n = 29) [17] | ||||
| 1 × 8 Gy | 88% | not stated | 25% | not stated |
| 6 × 4 Gy | 85% | not stated | 0% | not stated |
| Breast cancer patients: not stated | (p > 0.05) | (p < 0.05) | ||
| Gaze et al., 1997 (n = 265) [5] | ||||
| 1 × 10 Gy | 84% | 39% | not stated | not stated |
| 5 × 4.5 Gy | 89% (p > 0.05) | 42% (p > 0.05) | not stated | not stated |
| Breast cancer patients: n = 117 (44%) | ||||
| Nielsen et al., 1998 (n = 241) [8] | ||||
| 1 × 8 Gy | 62% | not stated | 21% | 5% |
| 5 × 4 Gy | 71% | not stated | 12% | 5% |
| Breast cancer patients: n = 94 (39%) | (p > 0.05) | (p > 0.05) | (p > 0.05) | |
| BPTWP 1999 (n = 761) [3] | ||||
| 1 × 8 Gy | 72% | 52% | 23% | 2% |
| 5 × 4 Gya | 68% | 51% | 10% | <1% |
| Breast cancer patients: n = 273 (36%) | (p > 0.05) | (p > 0.05) | (p < 0.001) | (p = 0.2) |
| Steenland et al., 1999 (n = 1171) [12] | ||||
| 1 × 8 Gy | 72% | 37% | 25% | 4% |
| 6 × 4 Gy | 69% | 33% | 7% | 2% |
| Breast cancer patients: n = 451 (39%) | (p = 0.24) | (p > 0.05) | (p < 0.001) | (p < 0.05) |
| Roos et al., 2005 (n = 272) [11] | ||||
| 1 × 8 Gy | 53% | 26% | 29% | 4% |
| 5 × 4 Gy | 61% | 27% | 24% | 4% |
| Breast cancer patients: n = 23 (8%) | (p = 0.18) | (p = 0.89) | (p = 0.41) | (p > 0.05) |
a
2% of patients received 10 × 3 Gy.