title: Methadone for cancer-related neuropathic pain: a review of the literature.
abstract: Neuropathic pain is commonly seen in cancer patients, either as a direct result of the malignancy or as a consequence of the treatment rendered. In recent years, methadone has been utilized in the treatment of neuropathic pain because of its additional mechanism of action as an NMDA-receptor antagonist. In this paper we discuss the etiology of neuropathic pain in cancer patients, unique properties of methadone, and prior studies on methadone in this patient population. While methadone has been established as a cheap and effective agent in treating cancer pain, specific studies are needed comparing methadone to other opioids in the management of cancer-related neuropathic pain.
authors.affiliation: Division of Hematology/Oncology and Palliative Medicine, Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, USA.
authors.forename: Rosemarie
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mannino
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Coyne
authors.forename: Craig
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Swainey
authors.forename: Lea Ann
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Hansen
authors.forename: Laurie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lyckholm
mesh_terms: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D008691:Methadone / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D008691:Methadone