Opioid Use in Gyn Oncology; Balancing Efficacy, Accessibility and Safety: SGO

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Opioid Use in Gynecologic Oncology; Balancing Efficacy, Accessibility and Safety: An SGO Clinical Practice Statement

 The problem of opioid misuse has been called an “epidemic” and a “public health crisis” [1]. Though efforts to regulate prescribing practices have focused on non-cancer pain, existing and proposed legislation could significantly impact oncology patients and providers as well. Opioids are first line therapy for all but mild cancer pain [2]. Historically the problem with cancer pain has been under treatment rather than over treatment [3,4], and though existence of risk factors for opioid misuse have been documented in patients with cancer, there is currently no direct evidence that prescription of opioids to patients with cancer has contributed to the national issue of opioid misuse [5]. In order to promote safety without compromising efficacy of pain control, it is paramount that gynecologic oncologists are aware of current guidelines and proposed legislation and work to address barriers to safe and effective opioid prescribing.....