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Sumatriptan for headache caused by head and neck cancer
P L Manfredi1, S Shenoy, R Payne
1Department of Neurology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10021, USA.
Headache
|November 25, 2000
Summary
Sumatriptan effectively treats various headaches, including those from cancer. This study shows oral sumatriptan relieved pain in two patients with locally invasive head and neck cancer.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Oncology
Background:
- Sumatriptan is a well-established treatment for migraine and cluster headaches.
- Its efficacy has also been noted in headaches secondary to other conditions like postdural puncture and intravenous immunoglobulin infusions.
Observation:
- Two patients presented with severe headaches attributed to locally invasive head and neck cancer.
- These headaches were refractory to standard treatments.
Findings:
- Both patients experienced significant headache relief following the administration of oral sumatriptan.
- This suggests a potential role for sumatriptan in managing cancer-related headaches.
Implications:
- Sumatriptan may offer a novel therapeutic option for patients suffering from head and neck cancer-related pain.
- Further research is warranted to explore the mechanism and broader applicability of sumatriptan in oncological pain management.