The use of spinal opioids in cancer pain

Issue title: Feature Section: The Impact of Florida's Low-Back Practice Guideline on Treatement of New Workers' Compensation Injuries

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Long, Stephen P.^{a; *} | Kim, Christopher K.^a | Coyne, Patrick J.^b

Affiliations: [a] Pain Management Center, Department of Anesthesiology, Richmond, VA, USA | [b] Department of Oncology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Medical College of Virginia, Richmond, VA, USA

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding author. 310 Greenway Lane, Richmond, VA 23226, USA. Tel.: + 1 804 2850778.

Abstract: Approximately two-thirds of cancer patients suffer from significant pain. Until recently, less expensive and less costly conservative treatments have been utilized to treat these patients' pain, but the outcomes have been poor, with many experiencing inadequate pain relief. Although intraspinal opioid therapy is relatively new and more invasive than traditional treatments, it can provide most cancer patients better pain relief with less side effects. Intraspinal opioids can be used successfully to treat intractable malignant pain states.

Keywords: Intraspinal opioid therapy, Cancer pain, Intrathecal opioids, Epidural opioids

DOI: 10.3233/BMR-1998-11104

Journal: Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, vol. 11, no. 1, pp. 27-33, 1998