[Therapy of pain caused by gastrointestinal tumors]

Therapy of pain induced by malignant diseases is an important task for any physician. A proper diagnosis is necessary for an adequate treatment. Pain in the bones can be treated successfully with peripherally acting analgesics such as acetylsalicylic acid, paracetamol or metamizole. On the other hand, certain tumors require local blockade as in cases with pancreatic or perianal tumors. If such a therapeutic approach is not possible or if pain is felt all over the body then centrally acting analgesics such as opiates are necessary. Opiates should be administered according to a tight schedule and not on demand. Combinations of certain analgesic drugs are often quite useful. Apart from their peripheral application opiates can also be administered epidurally or intrathecally which reduces the required dosage.