The role of radiation therapy in the management of bone metastases

Recognizing the complexities and controversies surrounding the use of radiation in the palliation of patients with bone metastases, this review will cover: 1. The presentation and natural history of bone metastases including presentation and systemic effects. 2. The use of local field irradiation in the palliation of metastatic disease including a description of the clinical trials that have been performed and the results thereof. 3. The role of systemic radiation techniques to treat systems including half body irradiation therapy, its effects, and morbidity, and the use of isotopes such as strontium, phosphorous, samarium, and rhenium. 4. The use of adjuvant techniques to prepalliate metastatic disease. At the completion of the refresher course, the attendees should have an overall understanding of the use of radiation therapy, both as standard therapies, as well as the experimental database underlying its use