The cough from hell: diazepam for intractable cough in a patient with renal cell carcinoma.

Abstract

Cough is a common symptom in cancer. Its underlying cause should be managed when identified; otherwise, empiric treatment is the mainstay of symptom control. Cancer-related cough usually responds to radiation therapy, an opioid, or benzonatate, a peripheral anesthetic. We present the case of a patient with renal cell carcinoma hospitalized for intractable cough that failed to respond adequately to usual treatments, but improved with diazepam.

• Authors: Bassam Estfan, Declan Walsh
• Journal: Journal of pain and symptom management (J Pain Symptom Manage) Vol. 36 Issue 5 Pg. 553-8 (Nov 2008) ISSN: 1873-6513 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 18440768 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Anticonvulsants
• Diazepam

Topics

• Adult
• Anticonvulsants (administration & dosage)
• Carcinoma, Renal Cell (complications, drug therapy)
• Chronic Disease
• Cough (prevention & control)
• Diazepam (administration & dosage)
• Female
• Humans
• Kidney Neoplasms (complications, drug therapy)
• Palliative Care (methods)
• Treatment Outcome