Bone Pain Palliation with Radionuclide Therapy: Restoring Quality of Life for Cancer Patients
💫 Introduction: Easing Pain, Enhancing Dignity
For many cancer patients, bone metastases can be one of the most painful and distressing complications — often leading to constant pain, restricted mobility, and reduced quality of life.
At RNM Centre for Nuclear Medicine & Molecular Imaging, Rohtak, we believe that living with cancer should not mean living with pain.
Through Radionuclide Therapy for Bone Pain Palliation, our specialists are helping patients regain comfort, dignity, and independence — using targeted radiation that relieves pain from within the body.
⚛️ What Is Radionuclide Therapy for Bone Pain?
Bone metastases occur when cancer spreads from its original site — such as the prostate, breast, or lung — to the bones. These secondary tumors can cause severe pain due to continuous stimulation of bone nerves and destruction of bone tissue.
Best Radionuclide Therapy in Rohtak involves injecting a radioactive isotope that specifically targets areas of active bone metastasis. Once it localizes in those regions, it emits radiation that reduces inflammation, controls tumor activity, and relieves pain — all while sparing healthy tissues.
💡 How It Works: Targeting Pain at the Source
- Tracer Administration:
A small dose of a bone-seeking radionuclide (like Samarium-153, Strontium-89, or Rhenium-186) is injected intravenously. - Bone Targeting:
These isotopes naturally accumulate in areas where bone turnover is high — i.e., where metastases are active. - Localized Radiation Emission:
The isotope releases beta radiation, killing tumor cells and reducing the activity of pain-causing nerve endings. - Pain Relief Onset:
Relief typically begins within 1–2 weeks, peaking around 3–4 weeks, and can last up to 4–6 months. - Repeatable Therapy:
The therapy can be safely repeated if required, depending on the patient’s response and blood counts.
🧠 Common Isotopes Used at RNM Rohtak
| Isotope | Type of Radiation | Indications | Pain Relief Duration |
| Samarium-153 (Sm-153 EDTMP) | Beta | Widespread bone metastases (Prostate, Breast) | 4–6 months |
| Strontium-89 (Sr-89) | Beta | Osteoblastic lesions | 3–5 months |
| Rhenium-186 (Re-186 HEDP) | Beta | Mixed bone lesions | 3–4 months |
| Radium-223 (Ra-223) | Alpha | Advanced prostate cancer with bone-only metastases | 6–12 months |
At RNM Rohtak, isotope selection is individualized based on the type and extent of metastases, patient’s overall health, and prior treatments.
🌟 Benefits of Radionuclide Pain Palliation
| Benefit | Description |
| Effective Pain Relief | 70–80% of patients experience significant and lasting pain reduction. |
| Improved Mobility | Patients regain the ability to walk, sit, and rest comfortably. |
| Reduced Need for Opioids | Less dependence on painkillers and associated side effects. |
| Better Sleep & Appetite | Restoration of daily comfort and overall well-being. |
| Non-Invasive and Outpatient-Friendly | Simple IV injection; no surgery or prolonged hospitalization needed. |
🛡️ Safety and Side Effects
The therapy is generally very well-tolerated.
Possible mild side effects include:
- Temporary fatigue
- Slight decrease in blood cell counts (usually recovers within weeks)
- Rarely, mild nausea
At RNM Rohtak, all treatments are conducted under AERB and IAEA radiation safety guidelines, ensuring patient safety, comfort, and complete supervision by nuclear medicine experts.
🧩 Who Can Benefit from This Therapy
Radionuclide pain palliation is ideal for patients with:
- Multiple or widespread bone metastases (particularly prostate or breast cancer)
- Persistent pain not relieved by conventional medications or local radiation
- Adequate kidney and bone marrow function
Our team carefully assesses each patient’s eligibility to provide maximum relief with minimal side effects.
❤️ Restoring Quality of Life
While radionuclide therapy is not a curative treatment, it plays a vital role in palliative care — improving the quality of life, enabling better sleep, emotional stability, and overall wellbeing.
Many patients describe it as “getting their life back” after months of constant pain.
At RNM Rohtak, compassion and advanced care go hand in hand — helping every patient find relief, strength, and dignity in their cancer journey.
🏥 About RNM Rohtak
RNM Centre for Nuclear Medicine & Molecular Imaging, Rohtak, is one of North India’s leading centers offering PET-CT, SPECT-CT, and radionuclide therapies for both diagnosis and treatment.
From Lu-177 targeted therapy to bone pain palliation with Sm-153 and Sr-89, RNM provides complete nuclear medicine services under one roof with world-class safety standards.
