title: Phantom limb phenomena in cancer amputees.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of phantom pain and correlated conditions such as phantom sensations and stump pain in a population of cancer patients who had undergone limb amputation.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study was carried out in adult patients submitted to limb amputation, who were being followed up at the Physiotherapy Department between April 3 and November 30, 2006. The presence of phantom pain and associated conditions was quantified using a verbal numerical scale. The data obtained were analyzed for means, medians, and proportions with their respective confidence intervals, as appropriate.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seventy-five patients participated in this study, 50 men (66.7%) and 25 women (33.3%). Mean age was 54.4 years (SD +/- 18.5); range 19 to 88 years. The prevalence of phantom pain was 46.7% (95%CI: 35.1 to 58.6), phantom sensation 90.7% (95%CI: 81.7 to 96.2), and surgical stump pain 32.0% (95%CI: 21.7 to 43.8).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Phantom pain and phantom sensations are highly prevalent among cancer patients. Further studies should be carried out to determine the main factors associated with their onset.
authors.affiliation: Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: Danièlle
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Probstner
authors.forename: Luiz Claudio Santos
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Thuler
authors.forename: Neli Muraki
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Ishikawa
authors.forename: Regina Maria Papais
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Alvarenga
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D019370:Observation; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology*; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000379:methods; D017288:Pain Threshold / Q000502:physiology; D010591:Phantom Limb / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D055815:Young Adult