Cancer Related Breakthrough Pain

Malignant episodic (or 'breakthrough') pain is a common feature of cancer pain that can have a negative impact on quality of life for both the patient and carer. It is characterized by a periodic increase in pain over background cancer pain and can be both severe in intensity and rapid in onset. Some patients who experience breakthrough pain are unresponsive to treatment and can pose a clinical challenge for physicians. This volume contains chapters detailing strategies for the assessment, management and treatment of breakthrough pain. The use of opioids for the treatment of breakthrough pain is thoroughly explored, with material covering oral, nasal and other routes for opioid administration. Furthermore, the book includes chapters on non-opioid pharmacological treatments, as well as non-pharmacological interventions. New additions to the second edition include a revised chapter on the general management of breakthrough pain and an up-to-date section on the latest data on intranasal fentanyl products. These updates ensure that Cancer-related Breakthrough Pain continues to be an invaluable resource for specialists and trainees in the field of pain management, as well as being a quick reference guide for GPs, specialist nurses, and other medical professionals.

This new edition is an invaluable resource for specialists and trainees in pain management, containing up-to-date content on the assessment and managment of cancer-related breakthrough pain. Breakthrough pain is a common occurrence in patients with cancer pain, and is often associated with a deleterious effect on daily life, impairing quality of life substantially. It is a heterogeneous condition, and management needs to be individualized. This valuable pocketbook discusses the clinical features of breakthrough cancer pain and the different strategies for management. It covers assessment, treatment, and reassessment. It also reviews the evidence for pharmacological interventions, like rapid onset opioids, as well as non-pharmacological interventions and disease modifying treatments. This new edition has been thoroughly updated to account for recent developments within the field. These updates ensure that Cancer-Related Breakthrough Pain (Oxford Pain Management Library) continues to be an invaluable resource for specialists and trainees in palliative care and pain management, as well as being a quick reference guide for GPs, specialist nurses, and other healthcare professionals.