Scoring the effect of radiotherapy for painful bone metastases.
BACKGROUND
The evaluation of the analgesic effects of radiotherapy in painful bone metastases is a matter of controversies due to a lack of appropriate tools to define the outcome. An integration of competences in monitoring the pain response and modifying the opioid treatment according to changes of the clinical condition is mandatory.


METHODS
A meaningful score, used in previous works to monitor the global response to an analgesic intervention in advanced cancer patients, is proposed. A case report, in which opioids are first titrated and then tapered, is described as an example of application of this method.
Mercadante
Sebastiano
S
Anesthesia & Intensive Care Unit and Pain Relief and Palliative Care Unit, La Maddalena Cancer Center, Palermo, Via San Lorenzo, Palermo, Italy. terapiadeldolore@la-maddalena.it
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009020:Morphine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D013125:Spinal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000556:secondary*
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D009020:Morphine