Pain relief with short-term irradiation in locally advanced carcinoma of the pancreas.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:

To evaluate whether a short radiation treatment (30 Gy, 3.0 Gy/fraction) had analgesic efficacy in patients with unresectable pancreatic carcinoma.

METHODS:

Twelve patients were included in this analysis. Before starting and at four weeks after radiation therapy, pain intensity was evaluated and analgesic drug therapy was adjusted until a 0-3 pain score was reached (WHO).

RESULTS:

No radiotherapy interruptions, no hospitalisation due to toxic reactions, and no severe toxicity were observed. Six patients (50%) had pain control without pharmacological therapy, three patients (25%) reduced their use (35%-72%) of analgesics, while in the remaining three patients (25%) there was no change in analgesic use. Overall, mean reduction in the use of analgesics was 63.1% +/- 43.8%. During follow-up (44 months), two patients (16.7%) showed a worsening of pain that required increased analgesia; in one patient, percutaneous splanchnicectomy was necessary.

CONCLUSION:

In patients excluded from standard concomitant chemoradiation, hypofractionated-accelerated radiotherapy is feasible and results in pain relief in most patients, documented as a reduced need for analgesics.

• Authors: Alessio G Morganti, Lucio Trodella, Vincenzo Valentini, Sergio Barbi, Gabriella Macchia, Giovanna Mantini, Adriana Turriziani, Numa Cellini
• Journal: Journal of palliative care (J Palliat Care) Vol. 19 Issue 4 Pg. 258-62 ( 2003) ISSN: 0825-8597 [Print] United States
• PMID: 14959596 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Analgesics

Topics

• Actuarial Analysis
• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Analgesia (methods)
• Analgesics (therapeutic use)
• Combined Modality Therapy
• Dose Fractionation, Radiation
• Feasibility Studies
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Pain (diagnosis, etiology, prevention & control)
• Pain Measurement
• Palliative Care (methods)
• Pancreatic Neoplasms (complications, mortality, radiotherapy)
• Radiotherapy Dosage
• Survival Analysis
• Treatment Outcome