Academic literature on the topic 'Cancer-related pain relief'

Persistent pain is an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience that continues for a prolonged period of time and that may or may not be associated with a recognizable disease process. Older people may suffer from conditions such as knee osteoarthritis, low back pain, neck pain and headache, neuropathic pain, fibromyalgia, and cancer-related pain. Pain may impact physical function, psychological function, and other aspects of quality of life. A thorough history and physical examination may optimally assess a person with a persistent pain complaint in the context of a multifactorial pathway f

This chapter outlines information relevant to clinical pharmacists related to central nervous system issues and is loosely based on the British National Formulary, Chapter 4. In particular, this chapter covers issues related to pain and palliative care. Pain is defined and an algorithm for pain treatments is presented. A pain chart is illustrated with tips for monitoring pain and pain relief, and key concepts for treating acute, chronic, and cancer pains are described. This chapter also discusses the prevalence and treatment of depression, schizophrenia and psychosis, bipolar disorder, obsessi

Pain management 640Nausea and vomiting 646Malignant bowel obstruction 649Constipation 650Diarrhoea 651Hiccups 652Depression 654Delirium 656Oral care 657Cancer-related fatigue 658Cancer cachexia 659Breathlessness 660Cough 661Haemoptysis 662Symptom clusters 663End of life care 664In general, cancer pain management should be focused on the three-step WHO analgesic ladder for cancer pain relief (Ventafridda et al. ...

The stellate ganglion blockade technique is used to treat complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). It is now well established that stellate blockades should be performed under imaging guidance. It has been suggested that alcohol may bring longer lasting relief in cases of severe intractable cancer-related pain arising from regional neoplasms invading the stellate ganglion, but frequent onset of Horner’s syndrome can outweigh the technique’s efficacy. Radiofrequency neurolysis (RFN) has become a common procedure in the management of chronic neuropathic pain. This chapter reviews indications of st

Pain is described as being whatever the experiencing person says it is, and their perception of pain is determined by their mood and morale and the meaning of the pain for them. Cancer pain is common, and prevalence is related to the stage of the illness: 59% in patients undergoing treatment, and 64% in those with advanced disease. Pain is multi-causal and multidimensional, and a holistic, interdisciplinary approach to assessment is necessary, encompassing physical, psychological, social, and spiritual aspects of pain (together are ‘total pain’). A narrative approach to pain assessment is helpful, keeping the focus on the patient and their experience. Pain assessment tools can also be used to identify where pain is and how much it hurts. These include: pain body map, visual analogue scales (VAS), verbal rating scales (VRS), numerical rating scales (NRS), and Brief Pain Inventory (BPI). Classifications of pain include acute and chronic pain, nociceptive pain caused by the stimulation of nerve endings, and neuropathic pain caused by nerve dysfunction or compression. Analgesic drugs may be given according to the World Health Organization's pain relief ladder: step 1, non-opioid analgesics such as paracetamol and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; step 2, mild opioids like codeine with or without non-opioid analgesics; and step 3, strong opioids like morphine with or without non-opioid analgesics. Non-pharmacological interventions for pain management include transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), massage, distraction, relaxation, breathing exercises, comfort measures, and presence of the nurse. Effective communication at all stages of management is essential.

This chapter reviews the key physical aspects of supportive care for the child with cancer. Effective holistic supportive care is essential for the relief of cancer and treatment-related symptoms, leading to less morbidity and reduced mortality. The chapter covers the principles of the management of infection, preventing and treating nausea and vomiting, supporting nutrition, and dealing with mucositis. Aspects not covered include pain management, the use of complementary and alternative medicine (instead or alongside standard medical treatment), and the crucial areas of psychological support, social interventions, and clinican–family–patient communication. Major principles discussed include the use of effective risk-stratified prophylaxis, such as immunization and antiemetics, and patient-tailored responses to therapies.