Successful treatment of debilitating back pain, in patient with polycythemia vera, with fractionated low-dose external-beam-radiation-therapy

Bone pain as the presenting symptom in polycythemia vera (PV) is rare, especially without the diagnosis of myelofibrosis (MF). Pain, however, can manifest as a late symptom in approximately 50% of patients with the diagnosis. The cause of pain has been attributed to hematopoiesis, periostitis, and osteosclerosis. Pain is usually progressive and eventually refractory to pain regimens, and durable treatments are limited. Radiation therapy has been used in the management of different conditions associated with PV, including splenomegaly, extramedullary hematopoiesis, etc.
Source: International Journal of Radiation Oncology * Biology * Physics - Category: Radiology Authors: Source Type: research