Strontium 89 Therapy for the Palliation of Pain Due to Osseous Metastases

Abstract

As many as 80% of selected patients with painful osteoblastic bony metastases from prostate or breast cancer may experience some pain relief following 89Sr administration. In addition, as many as 10% or more may become pain free. Duration of clinical response may average 3 to 6 months in some cases. Hemotoxicity is mild. A decrease in treatment costs with administration of 89Sr to patients with painful osteoblastic bony metastases from prostate cancer may occur. These observations reflect the preliminary nature of knowledge in this field and point to the need for larger clinical trials of the use of 89Sr palliation.