Hematology and Oncology Book

http://www.fpnotebook.com/

Cancer Pain Management

Advertisement

  1. See Also
    1. Cancer Pain
    2. Cancer Pain Medications
    3. Cancer Pain Narcotics
  2. Non-Pharmacologic Therapies
    1. Relaxation
    2. Support Groups
    3. Biofeedback
    4. Mental Imagery
    5. Physiotherapy
    6. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)
    7. Physical Activity
    8. Individual, Family and Group Psychotherapy
  3. Other Palliative Management
    1. Palliative radiotherapy
      1. Metastatic bone pain
      2. Neuropathic pain
        1. Lumbosacral plexopathy and brachial plexopathy
    2. Palliative surgery
    3. Palliative Chemotherapy
  4. Guidelines or Pearls for Management
    1. Oral route for Analgesics is preferred
    2. Do not assume the pain is part of the malignancy
      1. Make specific anatomic, and pathologic diagnoses
    3. Consider the patients feelings and listen to fears
      1. Pain threshold varies with mood and morale
      2. Less pain is experienced if patient can express fears
    4. Administer around the clock scheduled dosing
      1. Scheduled dosing requires less overall Analgesic need
      2. Avoid as needed medication dosing as much as possible
        1. As needed dosing results in breakthrough pain
    5. Prescribe adequate amounts of Analgesics
      1. Titrate dosing to the patient's pain
      2. Do not limit dosing to book values
    6. Start with non-Narcotic medications if possible
    7. Do not be afraid of Narcotic use
      1. When non-Narcotics fail, move to Narcotics quickly
      2. Moderate to Severe pain will require Narcotics
      3. Addiction is rare when Narcotics are used for pain
    8. Make use of non-pharmacologic therapies
      1. See Cancer Pain Management
    9. Make use of consultants or colleagues
    10. Provide support for the entire family
      1. Treat anticipatory grief for family
      2. Prevent isolation and loneliness
      3. Intervene quickly for crises
    11. Maintain air of quiet confidence and cautious optimism
      1. Aim for small goals and graded relief
      2. Builds patient's trust and hope
      3. Exhibit determination to succeed
    12. Maintain clear sensorium
      1. Methylphenidate
        1. Overcomes Narcotic associated confusion, drowsiness
  5. References
    1. Abrahm (1999) Ann Intern Med 131:37
    2. Cherny (2000) CA Cancer J Clin 50(2):70
    3. Levy (1996) N Engl J Med 335:1124
    4. Miller (2001) Am Fam Physician 64(7):1227

Navigation Tree