Substance abuse issues in cancer pain.
It is estimated that 40% to 50% of patients with metastatic disease and 90% of patients with terminal cancer experience unrelieved pain. Furthermore, inadequate treatment of cancer pain is a greater possibility if the patient is a substance abuser. In this paper, we will explore pertinent conceptual and clinical aspects of addiction that can assist in improving the identification and treatment of patients with substance use disorders.
Whitcomb
Laurie A
LA
Community Cancer Care, Inc., Oncology Symptom Control Research, 115 West 19th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA. LAWhitMAI I@aol.com
Kirsh
Kenneth L
KL
Passik
Steven D
SD
D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D010146:Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy