Management of cancer pain: Basic principles and neuropathic cancer pain

B Laird, L Colvin, M Fallon

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract / Description of output

Pain is one of the commonest symptoms in patients with cancer occurring in as many as 90% of patients during their illness. Pain is a complex phenomenon, which can be exacerbated by nurnerous other factors. This paper discusses the common strategies for the management of cancer pain in general and also neuropathic cancer pain. Using the World Health Organisation (WHO) analgesic ladder for cancer pain relief, 80% of cancer pain can usually be controlled. It follows therefore that 20% of cancer pain can be difficult to control. Neuropathic cancer pain is often in this category and the use of adjuvant analgesics such as amitriptyline and gabapentin is important. Optimum cancer pain control is achieved by integrating standard analgesic approaches during tumouricidal therapy or any other active cancer treatment. (c) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1078-1082
Number of pages5
JournalEuropean Journal of Cancer
Volume44
Issue number8
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - May 2008

Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)

  • Analgesics
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
  • Anticonvulsants
  • Antidepressive Agents
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms
  • Pain
  • Pain Measurement
  • Peripheral Nervous System Diseases
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Journal Article
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

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