[Medical therapy of pain in oncology]

The authors report data concerning their study on the incidence of pain in advanced neoplastic patients and on the natural history of this symptom. They also report their experience in the treatment of solid tumours with non steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (Zomepirac, acetylsalicylic acid, Diflunisal, Ketoprofen) with a synthetic progestin (Medroxyprogesterone Acetate employed by authors at high or at very high doses for the first time) and with morphine hydrochloride used by oral, rectal, sublingual and nasal route. The authors also indicate the correct strategy of employing these drugs and criteria of evaluating their effectiveness.