LAUSR

AIM We assessed the efficacy and toxicity of salvage radiotherapy for solitary metachronous bone metastasis (SMBM) in patients with breast cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS We retrospectively analyzed 17 patients with SMBM who were treated with salvage radiotherapy. First failure was detected as SMBM in all patients. Salvage radiotherapy using three-dimensional treatment planning was performed at a median total dose of 50 Gy. Median daily dose was 2.0 Gy. RESULTS Median follow-up was 40 months. Local recurrence of SMBM was noted in only two patients. The 3-year overall survival, progression-free survival, and local control rates were 93%, 51%, and 85%, respectively. Median overall and progression-free survival were 74 and 30 months, respectively. Toxicities were mild, and bone fractures were not observed. CONCLUSION Salvage radiotherapy for SMBM was able to achieve higher local control rates without severe toxicity, as well as to provide longer progression-free survival; therefore, this may be an effective modality.