Abstract
This study reviews the experience of palliative radiotherapy to patients with multiple myeloma to define the optimal dose for pain relief. The records of 31 patients (66 sites) withmultiple myeloma irradiated for palliation at Kumamoto University hospital between 1985 and 1994 were reviewed. Total dose ranged from 8 to 50Gy, with a mean of 32.2Gy. Symptomsincluded pain (78.1%), neurological abnormalities (28.1%), and palpable masses (34.3%). Symptomatic remission was obtained in 45 of 46 evaluable sites (97.8%). Complete remission of symptoms were obtained in 28.3%, and partial remission in 69.6%. According to fraction size, there was no significant difference between 3-5Gy and 1.8-2Gy. The incidence of complete remission increased when a total dose of more than 20 Gy was given. When the quality of life isconsidered, hypofractionation was recommended for the palliative radiation therapy of multiple myeloma.
