A prospective randomised trial comparing a single fraction of 8 Gy with 30 Gy in 10 daily fractions for the relief of metastatic bone pain was performed. In 28 months, 288 patients were randomised. Pain was assessed using a questionnaire completed by the patient at home on a daily basis. No difference was found in the speed of onset or duration of pain relief between the two treatment regimes, and pain relief was independent of the histology of the primary tumour.