Practical aspects of pain control in the patient with cancer.
Cancer-related pain can be well controlled in most patients. With prolonged survival and cure now possible with many tumors, pain management becomes a compelling issue for the quality of the patient's remaining life. In advanced stages of disease, analgesia is an imperative for both the patient and family; it provides the patient the opportunity for a dignified and comfortable death and lifts from the family the added burden of anger and despair that is so often associated with uncontrolled pain in a loved one. Astute assessment, a systematic approach to pharmacologic treatment, and ongoing monitoring of therapy are the fundamental elements of successful management of pain in most patients.
Portenoy
R K
RK
Department of Neurology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York.
D000698:Analgesia / Q000379:methods*; D000700:Analgesics; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D006801:Humans; D009294:Narcotics; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000145:classification / Q000150:complications*; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010166:Palliative Care; D011788:Quality of Life; D012307:Risk Factors; D013810:Therapeutic Equivalency
D000700:Analgesics; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D009294:Narcotics