@article{APM17504,
author = {Sonia Skamene and Isha Agarwal and Maggie Makar and Monica Krishnan and Alex Spektor and Lauren Hertan and Kent W. Mouw and Allison Taylor and Sarah Noveroske Philbrick and Tracy Balboni},
title = {Impact of a dedicated palliative radiation oncology service on the use of single fraction and hypofractionated radiation therapy among patients with bone metastases},
journal = {Annals of Palliative Medicine},
volume = {7},
number = {2},
year = {2017},
keywords = {},
abstract = {Background: Radiation therapy (RT) is frequently used to palliate symptomatic bone metastases. While high quality literature has shown that for uncomplicated bone metastases, shorter radiotherapy courses are just as effective as longer courses for the treatment of pain, shorter courses remain under-utilized. We aimed to assess the impact of a dedicated palliative radiation oncology service on the frequency of single fraction RT (SF-RT) and hypofractionated radiation (hypo-RT) (≤5 fractions) among patients with bone metastases.
Methods: We identified 2,086 instances of palliative radiation (RT) for complicated and uncomplicated bone metastases between April 10, 2008 and September 17, 2014. We used multivariable logistic regression analysis (MVA) to estimate the association of the Supportive and Palliative Radiation Oncology (SPRO) service with the likelihood of receiving SF-RT or hypo-RT after controlling for age, sex, tumor type, and treatment site.
Results: Prior to SPRO’s implementation on July 1, 2011, the proportion of SF-RT and hypo-RT for bone metastases was 6.4% and 27.6% respectively. After SPRO’s implementation, the proportion of SF-RT and hypo-RT increased to 22.3% (P},
issn = {2224-5839}, url = {https://apm.amegroups.org/article/view/17504}
}