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Breakthrough cancer pain in 2020.
Erik T Løhre1,2, Morten Thronæs1,2, Pål Klepstad1,3,4
1European Palliative Care Research Centre (PRC), Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology.
Current Opinion in Supportive and Palliative Care
|April 26, 2020
Summary
Breakthrough cancer pain (BTCP) presents unique challenges in assessment and treatment. Transmucosal fentanyl formulations are effective for managing rapid-onset, high-intensity BTCP flares.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pain Management
- Palliative Care
Background:
- Breakthrough cancer pain (BTCP) is a common and challenging clinical issue.
- Existing definitions and assessments of BTCP have limitations.
- Cancer pain is characterized by continuous background pain and intermittent episodic pain.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide an overview of breakthrough cancer pain (BTCP).
- To discuss the limitations in terminology, assessment, and clinical presentation of BTCP.
- To review current and emerging treatment options for BTCP.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of breakthrough cancer pain (BTCP).
- Analysis of current definitions and classifications of cancer pain.
- Evaluation of treatment strategies for BTCP.
Main Results:
- The prevalence of BTCP is influenced by definitions of background pain and pain flare magnitude.
- BTCP is characterized by rapid onset, high intensity, and short duration, often due to neoplastic processes.
- Transmucosal fentanyl formulations are crucial for managing BTCP due to their pharmacokinetic properties.
Conclusions:
- Adequate treatment of all clinically relevant episodic pains is essential, respecting patient preferences.
- Transmucosal fentanyl formulations demonstrate efficacy in treating breakthrough cancer pain (BTCP).
- Further research into standardized assessment and management of BTCP is warranted.
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