Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 5, 2025
09:38
Determining Pain Detection and Tolerance Thresholds Using an Integrated, Multi-Modal Pain Task Battery
Published on: April 14, 2016
12.8K
Pharmacologic Pain Management: What Radiation Oncologists Should Know
Lara Michal Skarf1, Katie Fitzgerald Jones2, Jordana L Meyerson1
1Section of Palliative Care, VA Boston Healthcare System, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.
Seminars in Radiation Oncology
|March 29, 2023
Summary
Effective cancer pain management is crucial for patient well-being and treatment adherence. This review offers practical guidance on assessing and treating pain in cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pain Medicine
- Palliative Care
Background:
- Cancer patients frequently experience significant pain, impacting quality of life and treatment engagement.
- Pain can stem from the malignancy itself or cancer-related therapies, including radiotherapy.
- Inadequate pain management leads to patient suffering and reduced participation in cancer care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review common pain syndromes in cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy.
- To provide evidence-based recommendations for pain assessment and pharmacologic management.
- To highlight the multidisciplinary approach required for optimal cancer pain control.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of typical pain syndromes in cancer patients.
- Analysis of current pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatment strategies.
- Synthesis of recommendations for pain assessment and management.
Main Results:
- Identified common pain syndromes associated with radiotherapy.
- Outlined comprehensive pain assessment protocols.
- Detailed pharmacologic treatment options including anti-inflammatories and opioids.
- Emphasized the role of a multidisciplinary team in managing pain's emotional and functional effects.
Conclusions:
- Optimal cancer pain management requires thorough assessment and tailored pharmacologic treatment.
- A collaborative approach involving various specialists is essential for addressing the multifaceted nature of cancer pain.
- Implementing recommended strategies can improve patient outcomes and quality of life during cancer therapy.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Analgesia and Pain Management
694
Pain is critical to various clinical pathologies, provoking an urgent need for effective management. Pain, whether acute or chronic, is a complex neurochemical process. Its alleviation depends on the type, with nonopioid analgesics effective for mild to moderate pain, such as musculoskeletal or inflammatory pain, while neuropathic pain responds best to anticonvulsants, tricyclic antidepressants, or serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. For severe acute or chronic pain, opioids may be...
694
01:23Peripheral Artery Disease V: Postoperative Nursing Management
14
During the postoperative period, it is crucial to focus on maintaining circulation, identifying and managing potential complications, and planning for discharge.Nursing AssessmentVital signs monitoring: Regularly monitor vital signs, including blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and temperature, to detect early signs of complications such as bleeding and infection.Circulation assessment: Monitor pulses, perform Doppler assessments, and check capillary refill, color, temperature, and...
14
01:15Opioid Analgesics: Synthetic and Semisynthetic Opioids
360
Synthetic and semisynthetic opioids are pivotal in pain management and tackling opioid addiction. Semisynthetic opioids, including morphinans (morphine derivatives), oxycodone, oxymorphone, hydrocodone, and hydromorphone, have improved pharmacokinetic profiles compared to morphine. Additionally, heroin and 6-MAM (6-Monoacetylmorphine) show better CNS penetration than morphine due to heightened lipid solubility. Hydromorphone, a potent opioid, undergoes hepatic metabolism to form the active...
360
01:27Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: 5-HT3 Receptor Antagonists
265
5-HT3 receptor antagonists, such as dolasetron, granisetron (Kytril), ondansetron (Zofran), and palonosetron (Axoli), are crucial in managing chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) and postoperative nausea. These drugs selectively block 5-HT3 receptors in the visceral vagal and spinal afferent nerves, chemoreceptor trigger zone, and the vomiting center. They have a rapid onset of action and can be given as a single dose before chemotherapy. Ondansetron and granisetron, in particular,...
265
01:26Peptic Ulcer Disease IV: Management
121
Medical treatment strategies for peptic ulcers encompass various methods. The primary goal of treatment is to diminish gastric acidity and strengthen mucosal defense mechanisms.
The therapeutic approach involves ensuring adequate rest, implementing drug therapy, promoting smoking cessation, making dietary modifications, and emphasizing long-term follow-up care.
Pharmacological management
The prevailing therapy for peptic ulcers involves a combination of managing the patient's current...
The therapeutic approach involves ensuring adequate rest, implementing drug therapy, promoting smoking cessation, making dietary modifications, and emphasizing long-term follow-up care.
Pharmacological management
The prevailing therapy for peptic ulcers involves a combination of managing the patient's current...
121
01:28Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Neurokinin-1 Receptor Antagonists
216
Neurokinin 1 (NK1) receptors are distributed across the GI tract, vagal afferents, and key CNS regions including the central vomiting center and chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ) Chemotherapy agents stimulate enterochromaffin cells in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract to release large amounts of substance P (SP). SP is a neuropeptide released by specific sensory nerves in response to many different stressors, including those in the GI mucosa affected by chemotherapy. SP binds and activates...
216