Hippokratia 2005, 9(4):154-160
R Gbandi, Z Kanonidou
3rd Anesthesiology Dpt, Hippokratio General Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
Abstract
Cancer pain is one of the most frequent common syptoms in all patients with advanced cancer disease. However ,cancer-related pain is often poorly treated ,resulting in unnecessary suffering of these patients. Recent advances of research in the field of pathophysiology of cancer pain,have contributed to discovering of new knowledge and to increasing understanding of the possible pathophysiological mechanisms that are involved in the generation and treatment of cancer pain.AS a result systematic approach of pain treatment based on specialized knowledge is being increasingly adopted, leading to the creation of pain clinic where pain is treated more like any other chronic disease.Applying specific approach in the treatment of cancer pain has shown that such pain can be managed effectively in almost all cases. The suggested approach includes the following four steps: 1) Identification of the cause and the possible mechanism of the cancer pain, 2) Assesment of pain and other clinical syptoms of patients on the bases of clinical history , examination and investigation, 3) Selection and appliance different modalities of available treatment for cancer pain, 4)Regular review and reassesment of the treatment.