Hemibody irradiation for the treatment of generalized metastases

Eight sessions of upper and lower hemibody irradiation have been given to 7 patients with generalized metastases from various malignancies. In 5 patients with painful bony metastases, the pain responded to the radiation and in one case, a complete disappearance of pain was obtained. In 2 patients, the hematological suppression that resulted needed supportive care. Hypercalcemia from metastatic cancer was alleviated dramatically in two patients, but not for long duration. Hemibody irradiation seems to provide an effective means for the palliation of painful bony metastses and for hypercalcemia resulting from it. (author)