Breakthrough Pain Significant for Many Cancer Patients

Note: this is a good article/registration required (free)

focus on: Cancer Neuropathic Pain: Overview of Current Status and Future Objectives -- The Oncologist

 ARTICLES

Cancer Neuropathic Pain: Overview of Current Status and Future Objectives

Frederick H. Hausheer, Kathleen M. Foley
The Oncologist 2010; 15(Supplement 2): 1-2; doi:10.1634/theoncologist.2009-S506
[Full Text] [PDF]  

Types and Epidemiology of Cancer-Related Neuropathic Pain: The Intersection of Cancer Pain and Neuropathic Pain

Mark J. Lema, Kathleen M. Foley, Frederick H. Hausheer
The Oncologist 2010; 15(Supplement 2): 3-8; doi:10.1634/theoncologist.2009-S505
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]   SUMMARY: This article briefly surveys the types and causes of neuropathic pain and then discusses what is known about the epidemiology of cancer-related neuropathic pain.

Pathophysiology and Animal Models of Cancer-Related Painful Peripheral Neuropathy

Gary J. Bennett
The Oncologist 2010; 15(Supplement 2): 9-12; doi:10.1634/theoncologist.2009-S503
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]   SUMMARY: The article reviews some of the work that has been done to study the peripheral causes of neuropathic pain as it relates to cancer.

Assessment of Cancer-Related Neuropathy and Neuropathic Pain

Charles S. Cleeland, John T. Farrar, Frederick H. Hausheer
The Oncologist 2010; 15(Supplement 2): 13-18; doi:10.1634/theoncologist.2009-S501
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]   SUMMARY: This article briefly outlines the currently accepted measures of neuropathy and neuropathic pain, discusses their commonalities and limitations, and offers thoughts on improvements to current assessment strategies.

Integrative and Behavioral Approaches to the Treatment of Cancer-Related Neuropathic Pain

Barrie R. Cassileth, Francis J. Keefe
The Oncologist 2010; 15(Supplement 2): 19-23; doi:10.1634/theoncologist.2009-S504
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]   SUMMARY: This article briefly describes research illustrating the promise of important integrative oncology therapies for the treatment of cancer-related neuropathic pain, including massage therapy, acupuncture, and psychological/behavioral interventions.

Future Directions in Neuropathic Pain Therapy: Closing the Translational Loop

Miroslav Backonja, Clifford J. Woolf
The Oncologist 2010; 15(Supplement 2): 24-29; doi:10.1634/theoncologist.2009-S502
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]   SUMMARY: This article briefly reviews emerging treatments for neuropathic pain and discusses specific opportunities to alter the drug discovery paradigm, stressing the need for an approach that emphasizes the unbiased evaluation of the particular neurobiological mechanisms contributing to neuropathic pain in individual patients.

The Canadian STOP-PAIN project - What is the cost of pain for patients on waitlists of multidisciplinary pain treatment facilities?

Abstract/free full access: Comparison of numerical and verbal rating scales to measure pain exacerbations in patients with chronic cancer pain

Background
Numerical rating scales (NRS), and verbal rating scales (VRS) showed to be reliable and valid tools for subjective cancer pain measurement, but no one of them consistently proved to be superior to the other. Aim of the present study is to compare NRS and VRS performance in assessing breakthrough or episodic pain (BP-EP) exacerbations.

An open-label, non-randomized comparison of venlafaxine and gabapentin as monotherapy or adjuvant therapy in the management of neuropathic pain in patients with peripheral neuropathy

Note:

*click on 'pdf' to access the full paper (free)
* this paper is not specific to neuropathy as a treatment related adverse effect of cancer therapies
* it is written in fairly easy to understand language
* discusses side effects

Cancer Symptom Clusters: Old Concept But New Data

Abstract:
Individuals with cancer have multiple symptoms, which frequently co-occur. A nonrandom distribution of symptoms suggests a common mechanism. Symptom clusters (SCs) were considered part of various syndromes in the early years of medicine. The SC concept in clinical medicine is old. Symptom clusters were commonly described in the psychology/psychiatry and neurology literature. Symptom cluster may be defined either clinically or statistically. Statistically derived clusters can differ from clinically defined clusters. The clinical importance of statistically derived clusters is unclear. Pain-insomnia-fatigue and pain-depression-fatigue are commonly recognized clinical clusters. Nausea-vomiting and anxiety-depression are also statistically observed clusters.

Low-dose gabapentin as useful adjuvant to opioids for neuropathic cancer pain when combined with low-dose imipramine

Pregabalin for acute and chronic pain in adults - Cochrane Collaboration review

Note: includes numerous comments by a variety of healthcare professional disciplines

BACKGROUND:
Antiepileptic drugs have been used in pain management since the 1960s. Pregabalin is a recently developed antiepileptic drug also used in management of chronic neuropathic pain conditions.

CONCLUSIONS:
Pregabalin has proven efficacy in neuropathic pain conditions and fibromyalgia. A minority of patients will have substantial benefit with pregabalin, and more will have moderate benefit. Many will have no or trivial benefit, or will discontinue because of adverse events. Individualisation of treatment is needed to maximise pain relief and minimise adverse events. There is no evidence to support the use of pregabalin in acute pain scenarios.

EvidenceUpdates: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of ABT-594 in patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain.

Note: meds in diabetic neuropathic pain are also used in cancer related neuropathic pain (consult oncologist)

Efficacy of intranasal fentanyl spray versus other opioids for breakthrough pain in cancer; Current Medical Research and Opinion

Objective: To compare the efficacy of intranasal fentanyl spray (INFS), oral transmucosal fentanyl citrate (OTFC), fentanyl buccal tablet (FBT) and oral morphine (OM) for the treatment of breakthrough cancer pain (BTCP).

Conclusion: Based on currently available evidence, INFS is expected to provide the greatest improvement in the treatment of BTCP. Due to its slow onset to effect OM cannot be considered an efficacious treatment for BTCP.

EvidenceUpdates: rTMS for suppressing neuropathic pain: a meta-analysis

Omega-3 Fatty Acids for Neuropathic Pain: Case Series : The Clinical Journal of Pain

abstract/study of 5 patients