Systemic Radionuclide Palliative Therapy for Metastatic Carcinoma with Strontium 89

Metastatic carcinoma is the most common neoplasm involving the skeletal system. It is estimated that 30% to 70% of newly diagnosed cancer patients develop osseous metastases, causing intractable bone pain. A variety of treatments have been used to control bone pain associated with skeletal metastases, including analgesics, cytotoxic chemotherapy, external beam radiotherapy and systemic radio-nuclide therapy. Strontium 89 (89Sr) is a systemic radionuclide and calcium analog that has been extensively used for pain control in advanced skeletal metastatic disease. Strontium 89 offers advantages over other treatment modalities, including repeated treatments if necessary, less bone marrow suppression and toxicity and potential for cost effectiveness.