We found a match
Your institution may have rights to this item. Sign in to continue.
- Title
Dexamethasone for the prophylaxis of radiation-induced pain flare after palliative radiotherapy for bone metastasesâa pilot study.
- Authors
Andrew Loblaw; Kristin Harris; Meagan Doyle; Philiz Goh; Hannah Chiu; Tony Panzarella; May Tsao; Elizabeth Barnes; Emily Sinclair; Macey Farhadian; Cyril Danjoux
- Abstract
Abstract Purpose  To investigate the efficacy of dexamethasone as a prophylactic adjuvant analgesic to decrease pain flare and to assess its safety and tolerance of dexamethasone. Materials and methods  Patients treated with a single 8 Gy for bone metastases took 8 mg dexamethasone before the radiation treatment. The Brief Pain Inventory was administered at baseline and then daily for 10 days after radiation. Pain flare was defined as a two-point increase in the worst pain or a 25% increase in the analgesic intake when compared with the baseline. Results  Thirty-three patients (23 males, 10 females) had complete follow-up data. Their median age was 73 years old. Ten patients had progressive worsening pain during the entire 10-day follow-up. A total of eight patients (24%; 95% CI, 10â39%) experienced pain flare during the 10-day follow-up. Two patients had a 1-day pain flare on day 3. Three patients had a 1-day pain flare on day 7. Three other patients had a prolonged pain flare: one had a 3-day pain flare on days 2â4, one had a 3-day pain flare on days 4â6, and the other, a 6-day pain flare on days 3â8. The half-life of dexamethasone is 36â54 h. Only one patient (3%) experienced pain flare in the first 2 days of follow-up with the action of dexamethasone. Dexamethasone was well tolerated. Conclusion  Dexamethasone might be effective in the prophylaxis of radiation-induced pain flare after palliative radiotherapy for bone metastases. Randomized trials are required to confirm the finding.
- Subjects
ANTI-inflammatory agents; PAIN management; BONE metastasis; ANALGESICS
- Publication
Supportive Care in Cancer, 2007, Vol 15, Issue 6, p643
- ISSN
0941-4355
- Publication type
Article