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Bone Pain Due to Cancer:
Specialized Approaches

Radiopharmaceuticals

Radiopharmaceuticals are agents that contain a radioactive isotope. They are used in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, and some have been proven effective in reducing bone pain due to cancer.

Quadramet® is a radiopharmaceutical that is designed to target areas of bone that are affected by metastatic cancer. Quadramet delivers its radioactive dose directly to these areas, thereby minimizing the effect on the surrounding normal tissues.

The benefits of Quadramet therapy are^†:

• Quadramet provides relief for 62 percent to 72 percent of patients. Patients who respond may notice continued improvement during the first four weeks after administration.^1,2,3
• Quadramet provides bone pain relief that lasts a median of 16 weeks in patients who respond. Many patients are able to reduce opioid use. If pain recurs, discuss your options for additional therapy with your doctor. ^1,2
• The most common side effect of Quadramet therapy is a decrease in blood counts, which tend to return to pre-treatment levels within eight weeks. You may be asked to have regular blood tests to make sure that this recovery is taking place. ^1,3

Quadramet emits a photon, which allows for imaging. The following example is a bone scan illustrating bone lesions, which Quadramet can target.

Acknowledgements: Dwight Heron, MD and Adam Brufsky, MD.

Your Personal Pain Management Tools

In cancer treatment, so many other people seem to make so many decisions, leaving you feeling left out. While successful cancer treatment draws on the skills of many different kinds of people, it also provides patients with a variety of ways to stay involved. Knowing that you can do many things for yourself is the first step in regaining a sense of control.

Staying Connected
Even if you are not as mobile or active as you used to be, try to participate in activities that you have always enjoyed. Avoid becoming isolated from the people and things you love.

Letting Go of Stress
You can use many tools to reduce the stress of dealing with cancer. Studies have shown that stress relief contributes significantly to pain relief. In fact, many cancer treatment centers offer stress management and relaxation classes for patients and their families.

Many disciplines offer new approaches to stress and pain management. Your health care team can help you find options that complement your treatment and that help you feel more relaxed and in control.

Ask about the methods shown below. Used along with your regular treatment, these practices can be very helpful. Most communities have resources to provide such services.

† Quadramet can be prescribed by your physician to relieve pain caused by the spread of cancer to the bone. In clinical studies, Quadramet has provided pain relief for up to 72% of patients with bone pain from cancer (28% did not respond).^1,2 Quadramet causes a decrease in bone marrow production of certain types of blood cells, which tends to return to pre-treatment levels within 8 weeks.³ If you are receiving other treatments that affect your ability to make these cells, your physician should determine if the clinical benefits of receiving Quadramet outweigh the risks.³

Please see full prescribing information about Quadramet.

What Causes Bone Pain?
Why is Bone Pain Important?

Coping with Pain

Pain Management Workbook
and Assessment Guide

• Treatment Challenge
• Specialized Approaches

When Someone
You Love is in Pain