Onkologie. 2019:13(2):73-77 | DOI: 10.36290/xon.2019.014

Upgrade pharmacotherapy for cancer pain

Kateřina Jirsová

Integrované onkologické centrum, Nemocnice Na Pleši, s. r. o., Nová Ves pod Pleší

Pain is one of the most frequent and most serious symptoms of advanced malignancies. We know, that pain is reported by 60 % of patients undergoing oncology treatment, about 70 % with advanced cancer and up to 90 % terminally ill patients. Uncontrolled pain can have a negative impact on the whole comfort and daily activities of the patient and can lead to deterioration of quality of his/her life. Treatment of the pain is just one part of the complex therapy of the whole set of cancer symptoms. The main aim of the pain treatment is to reach optimal control of the pain, to keep the highest level of the patient's activity and to minimize the side effects of such treatment. The crucial position in the cancer pain management has pharmacotherapy which is based on the WHO three step algorithm. We have a lot of pharmacology treatment options available, such as nonopioid analgesics, weak, and strong opioid medication, in several application forms. It is useful to add coanalgesics such as antidepressants or anticonvulsants in some cases.

Keywords: cancer pain, multidisciplinary care, opioids

Published: April 5, 2019  Show citation