Orofacial pain and neurosensory disorders and dysfunction in cancer patients.
Orofacial pain and altered nerve sensation may be the initial sign of oropharyngeal or nasopharyngeal cancer. This article focuses on the most common orofacial pain conditions and neurosensory alterations that affect cancer patients, such as neuropathic pain, muscle spasm or contractures, mucositis, and increased or decreased sensory discrimination in the affected area. The various pharmacotherapeutic modalities for cancer pain management ranging from non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for mild pain to opioids for severe pain are discussed in detail.
D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000009:adverse effects; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005157:Facial Pain / Q000145:classification / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D009959:Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D026941:Sodium Channel Blockers / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013280:Stomatitis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D014313:Trismus / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy
D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D000927:Anticonvulsants; D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D026941:Sodium Channel Blockers