Implications of primary tumor site and fraction size on outcomes of palliative radiation for osseous metastases

PurposeThis study reviewed palliative radiation therapy (RT) practices and outcomes and compared the percentage of remaining life spent receiving RT (PRLSRT) in patients treated for osseous metastases.MethodsA retrospective analysis was conducted using the National Cancer Database (2010–2016) to eva...

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Main Authors: Riley P. McDougall, Quoc-Anh Ho, Charles Hsu, Jared R. Robbins
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-03-01
Series:Frontiers in Oncology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2025.1432916/full
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author Riley P. McDougall
Quoc-Anh Ho
Charles Hsu
Jared R. Robbins
Jared R. Robbins
author_facet Riley P. McDougall
Quoc-Anh Ho
Charles Hsu
Jared R. Robbins
Jared R. Robbins
author_sort Riley P. McDougall
collection DOAJ
description PurposeThis study reviewed palliative radiation therapy (RT) practices and outcomes and compared the percentage of remaining life spent receiving RT (PRLSRT) in patients treated for osseous metastases.MethodsA retrospective analysis was conducted using the National Cancer Database (2010–2016) to evaluate metastatic patients who received palliative bone RT. Common palliative RT schemes were analyzed to determine treatment patterns and outcomes. Palliative outcomes, including median PRLSRT, RT completion, and mortality rates, were calculated. Binary logistic regression was performed to identify factors affecting RT completion, and a scoring system was developed to identify patients at risk for poor palliative outcomes.ResultsA total of 50,929 patients were included, with the majority diagnosed with NSCLC (45.2%), breast cancer (15.1%), or prostate cancer (10.8%). The median overall survival after palliative RT was 5.74 months. Patients receiving lower doses per fraction (2.5 Gy/Fx) tended to be younger, healthier, and yet experienced worse palliative outcomes. Binary logistic regression identified age, race, income quartile, and Gy/Fx as significant factors affecting RT completion. Median PRLSRTs were as follows: 14.95% for GI NOS, 9.89% for upper GI, 9.46% for NSCLC, 8.67% for skin, 7.06% for SCLC, 6.10% for lower GI, 5.59% for GYN, 5.44% for GU, 5.35% for HNC, 2.05% for endocrine, 2.03% for prostate cancer, and 1.82% for breast cancer. Patients receiving 2.5 and 3 Gy/Fx were less likely to complete RT compared to those receiving 4 Gy/Fx (OR, 1.429 and 3.780, respectively; p < 0.001). Age, comorbidities, primary tumor, target location, and metastatic burden were associated with PRLSRT ≥ 25%.ConclusionDose regimens and patient selection influence palliative bone RT outcomes. Both factors should be carefully considered to minimize the burden of care and maximize treatment benefits.
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spelling doaj-art-5204743a6a834d0c81746bfbb142bfac2025-08-20T02:10:53ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Oncology2234-943X2025-03-011510.3389/fonc.2025.14329161432916Implications of primary tumor site and fraction size on outcomes of palliative radiation for osseous metastasesRiley P. McDougall0Quoc-Anh Ho1Charles Hsu2Jared R. Robbins3Jared R. Robbins4Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Tucson, Tucson, AZ, United StatesDepartment of Radiation Oncology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, United StatesDepartment of Radiation Oncology, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Tucson, Tucson, AZ, United StatesDepartment of Radiation Oncology, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Tucson, Tucson, AZ, United StatesDepartment of Radiation Oncology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United StatesPurposeThis study reviewed palliative radiation therapy (RT) practices and outcomes and compared the percentage of remaining life spent receiving RT (PRLSRT) in patients treated for osseous metastases.MethodsA retrospective analysis was conducted using the National Cancer Database (2010–2016) to evaluate metastatic patients who received palliative bone RT. Common palliative RT schemes were analyzed to determine treatment patterns and outcomes. Palliative outcomes, including median PRLSRT, RT completion, and mortality rates, were calculated. Binary logistic regression was performed to identify factors affecting RT completion, and a scoring system was developed to identify patients at risk for poor palliative outcomes.ResultsA total of 50,929 patients were included, with the majority diagnosed with NSCLC (45.2%), breast cancer (15.1%), or prostate cancer (10.8%). The median overall survival after palliative RT was 5.74 months. Patients receiving lower doses per fraction (2.5 Gy/Fx) tended to be younger, healthier, and yet experienced worse palliative outcomes. Binary logistic regression identified age, race, income quartile, and Gy/Fx as significant factors affecting RT completion. Median PRLSRTs were as follows: 14.95% for GI NOS, 9.89% for upper GI, 9.46% for NSCLC, 8.67% for skin, 7.06% for SCLC, 6.10% for lower GI, 5.59% for GYN, 5.44% for GU, 5.35% for HNC, 2.05% for endocrine, 2.03% for prostate cancer, and 1.82% for breast cancer. Patients receiving 2.5 and 3 Gy/Fx were less likely to complete RT compared to those receiving 4 Gy/Fx (OR, 1.429 and 3.780, respectively; p < 0.001). Age, comorbidities, primary tumor, target location, and metastatic burden were associated with PRLSRT ≥ 25%.ConclusionDose regimens and patient selection influence palliative bone RT outcomes. Both factors should be carefully considered to minimize the burden of care and maximize treatment benefits.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2025.1432916/fullPRLSRTpalliative radiationNCDB (national cancer database)metastatic bone diseasepalliative rt fractionation
spellingShingle Riley P. McDougall
Quoc-Anh Ho
Charles Hsu
Jared R. Robbins
Jared R. Robbins
Implications of primary tumor site and fraction size on outcomes of palliative radiation for osseous metastases
Frontiers in Oncology
PRLSRT
palliative radiation
NCDB (national cancer database)
metastatic bone disease
palliative rt fractionation
title Implications of primary tumor site and fraction size on outcomes of palliative radiation for osseous metastases
title_full Implications of primary tumor site and fraction size on outcomes of palliative radiation for osseous metastases
title_fullStr Implications of primary tumor site and fraction size on outcomes of palliative radiation for osseous metastases
title_full_unstemmed Implications of primary tumor site and fraction size on outcomes of palliative radiation for osseous metastases
title_short Implications of primary tumor site and fraction size on outcomes of palliative radiation for osseous metastases
title_sort implications of primary tumor site and fraction size on outcomes of palliative radiation for osseous metastases
topic PRLSRT
palliative radiation
NCDB (national cancer database)
metastatic bone disease
palliative rt fractionation
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2025.1432916/full
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