[A case of long-term, high-dose transdermal fentanyl application for lung cancer pain]

Transdermal fentanyl patch represents a new administration route for cancer pain relief. We reported here a successful experience with a high-dose of transdermal fentanyl for cancer pain therapy. A 71-year-old woman suffering from metastatic lung cancer to bone had already been treated with radiation at a different hospital. She suffered from severe lumbar pain upon admission to our hospital. During the past 15 months, she has been treated with 30 mg or more of transdermal fentanyl for cancer pain relief. No severe side effects were observed, and she experienced a better quality of life at home using this patch long-term.