The use of chordotomy to treat pain from gynecologic cancer

Tumor growth in the pelvis with nerve involvement causes severe pain which is notoriously resistant to pharmacological treatment. Chordotomy is a classical method for the relief of pain. This is a retrospective study of 24 chordotomy cases, operated on at the department of Neurosurgery, and independently evaluated at the department of Gynecologic Oncology. Initially 19 patients (79%) were painfree whereas 4 patients (17%) had only moderate or no relief following the operation (one not evaluable). 10 patients remained free of pain until death. There were no serious complications. Possible causes of pain relapse are analysed. We conclude that chordotomy is worth consideration when facing severe pelvic cancer pain.