[Stage-adapted pain therapy in advanced malignant urologic diseases]

In advanced urological malignant diseases pain therapy is frequently of prime importance. Considerable progress in this area has led to the treatment of pain being taken on increasingly by specialized groups, in some cases without feedback to the urologist. In this situation it seems expedient for a urologist working in the field of oncology to be thoroughly informed of the present status of knowledge in modern pain treatment. The opportunities opened up by interdisciplinary team work directed by a urologist are pointed out, as are the requirements this imposes. The current chances of medicamentous cancer pain therapy and the treatment options in the fields of anaesthesiology, neurology and neurosurgery are touched upon with reference to the pathophysiology of chronic painful conditions.