Dexamethasone for the Prophylaxis of Pain Flare Study

Cancer Clinical Trial

Official title: Dexamethasone for the Prophylaxis of Radiation-Induced Pain Flare Following Palliative Radiotherapy for Bone Metastases

Status Completed

Clinical Trial Summary

Radiation treatment is often recommended as a safe and quick treatment that gives most people good relief from bone pain within a couple of weeks. However, some people can experience a short episode of increased pain (called a 'flare') a day or two after radiation treatment, that lasts about a day. The purpose of this sturdy is to find out if a medication called dexamethasone can help prevent pain flare as a result of radiation therapy.

Clinical Trial Description

Of all people diagnosed with cancer, 25% will have their cancer come back and spread to the bones. This often results in significant pain and suffering. Radiation treatment is often recommended as a safe and quick treatment that gives most people good relief from bone pain within a couple of weeks. However, some people can experience a short episode of increased pain called a flare a day or two after radiation treatment that lasts about a day. Studies suggest that around a third of all people who receive radiation treatment to help pain from cancer in the bones will have a pain flare. This study is being done because it would be helpful to prevent extra bone pain from happening to people after they receive radiation treatments. The purpose of this study is to find out if a medication called dexamethasone can help prevent pain flare as a result of radiation therapy. ;

Study Design

Endpoint Classification: Efficacy Study, Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment, Masking: Open Label, Primary Purpose: Treatment

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Cancer

• NCT number: NCT00438828
• Study type: Interventional
• Source: Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
• Status: Completed
• Phase: Phase 1
• Start date: February 2007
• Completion date: July 2011