Pain in patients with lung cancer: pathophysiology and treatment.
This review analyses the characteristics of the principal pain syndromes associated with lung cancer, their physiopathology and causes, and provides updated information on available treatments. Pain associated with lung cancer is characterized by multiple expressions, due to either the progression of disease and/or induced by oncological treatment. The analgesic treatment is principally based on the use of opioids. Other than the oral route, which is the preferred one, alternative modalities to administer opioids may be helpful in different clinical circumstances. According to the opioid response, other routes and other opioids, may improve the balance between analgesia and adverse effects providing the best individual response to a specific opioid drug. More complex strategies, such as interventional procedures, are seldom necessary and require an appropriate selection of patients.
Mercadante
Sebastiano
S
Pain Relief & Palliative Care Unit, La Maddalena Cancer Center, Via San Lorenzo 312, 90145 Palermo, Italy. terapiadeldolore@lamaddalenanet.it
Vitrano
Valentina
V
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010149:Postoperative Pain; D010166:Palliative Care; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects*
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid