Do you have any recommended techniques or tips for palliative radiation to a digit (e.g. thumb)?

In my experience, I find Electrons very useful for palliating pain inafflicted digits of the fingers. Because I have lost a few fingernails in my day as well, losing one is NOT a major component of my planning emphasis because they, fingernails,do come back if the patient lives long enough. Most patients by this timeare mostly concerned about ridding themselves of the pain and not the lost of fingernails.

As a rule: I use single fraction of 800cGy.......unless there is:

1. A significant soft tissue component;

2. A clear impending fracture -> digit.

Also, if the patient is at the end of life, I will use a SF of RT,or hypo-fractionated course even with the contraindications reflected above.

Otherwise, I like 400cGy x 5.

Or, the traditional ...... 300cGy x 10.