Resolution of tumor pain with EMLA cream

A 69-year-old woman was admitted for control of intractable rectal pain caused by a 4-cm malignant mass. She was treated successfully with EMLA (eutectic mixture of local anesthetics) cream applied every 8 hours and covered with a Xeroform dressing. Despite an increase in tumor size to 6 cm, her pain control was maintained with no local or systemic adverse effects. We believe topical EMLA may be effective in managing such lesions. Close patient monitoring is necessary, however, and long-term, controlled studies must be conducted to determine its safety and efficacy in this setting.