[Pain-relieving therapy for 57 patients with malignancies in the head and neck area]

From 1983 to 1988 57 patients with far advanced carcinomas of head and neck received pharmacological treatment of severe cancer pain according to the scheme recommended by the WHO. The evaluation of the collected data revealed that satisfactory pain control could be achieved by administration of oral analgetics. Total relief of pain was achieved in more than 35% of the days, significant relief in more than 50%. Side effects observed during therapy and co-medications are discussed.