Cancer Pain Management In The Refractory Patient

In spite of guidelines and recommendations for the managementof pain in cancer patients epidemiological studies still indicate that pain remainsa major burden for their quality of life. The World Health Organizationpublished a guideline in the form of a pain ladder, that is probably one of themost frequently referenced recommendations. First, the use of the adjuvantanalgesics has gained general acceptance for the managementof neuropathicpain. Also for patients with cancer the neuropathic pain component should bemanaged with the most suitable adjuvant analgesic.Second, there is evidenceindicating that starting pain treatment in patients with cancer directly withstrong opioids results in a better pain relief and less side effects than when stepII, weak opioids are used as intermediate step. Third, interventional painmanagement techniques should be considered as an adjuvant to commonanalgesic treatment at any stage of the disease.During the session different aspects of cancer pain management will bediscussed