Treatment of cancer-related chest wall pain using spinal cord stimulation.
OBJECTIVE
it has been estimated that 15% to 40% of chronic cancer pain has a neuropathic component, and this type of pain often responds poorly to opioids. In an attempt to provide increased pain relief for patients with intractable cancer pain, unconventional agents and interventional management approaches have received considerable attention. Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) has been used with increased frequency for the treatment of intractable cancer pain.


METHODS
the patients with a history of cancer-related chest wall pain underwent an uneventful SCS trial with percutaneous placement of 2 temporary 8-electrode leads (Medtronic Inc, Minneapolis, Minnesota) placed at the level of T3-T4-T5.


RESULTS
after experiencing excellent pain relief over the next 2 days, the patients were implanted with permanent leads and rechargeable generator 2 to 2 ½ weeks later and reported sustained pain relief at 12-month follow-up visit.


CONCLUSIONS
SCS provides an effective, alternative treatment option for select patients with cancer-related chest wall pain who have failed conservative treatment. SCS may provide pain relief with advantages over conservative treatments and more invasive techniques.
Yakovlev
Alexander E
AE
Comprehensive Pain Management of the Fox Valley, Appleton, WI 54911, USA. aeyakovlev@yahoo.com
Resch
Beth E
BE
Karasev
Sergey A
SA
D000328:Adult; D002637:Chest Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D058542:Implantable Neurostimulators; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010148:Intractable Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D013116:Spinal Cord; D035441:Thoracic Wall