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Query: UMLS:C0423716 (Neuropathic pain)
 1,417 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Neuropathic pain is still an under-diagnosed and undertreated problem in third world countries. This retrospective study was undertaken to detect the prevalence, etiology and treatment profile of neuropathic pain in cancer. During January-December 2007, 716 new cancer pain patients were examined in Tata Memorial Hospital Pain Clinic. A total of 180 patients with a mean age of 47.14 yrs were found to have neuropathic pain characteristics on the basis of clinical impression, site of pain and the underlying cause i.e. due to tumor itself or cancer therapy. Head and neck cancer (32.2%) was found to be the most common cause of neuropathic pain, followed by breast (20.6%), thoracic (14.4%), genitourinary or gynecology (10.0% each), GI (9.4%), and medical oncology (2.8%). About 56% patients were post surgery, 44.4% post chemotherapy and 51.1% patients were post radiotherapy. The most common site of pain was thoracic (36.7%) due to primary or secondary metastatic disease. Pricking type of pain was the most characteristic feature (47.8%) followed by shooting pain (38.3%). The mean pain score was 5.96 +/- 1.5 (SD) and mean duration (months) of pain was 2.8 +/- 2.5. Neuropathic pain was found commonly associated with somatic pain (59.4%). The most common pharmacological agents prescribed were: tricyclic antidepressants (93.9%), anticonvulsants (66%), Opioids (85%), and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (97.2%). Only 35% patients followed up more than once at the pain clinic. The most common and challenging patients were of orofacial pain. Nerve blocks techniques have a limited role in neuropathic pain.
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PMID:Prevalence, etiology, and management of neuropathic pain in an Indian cancer hospital. 1949 12

Neuropathic pain is an increasingly common problem facing the cancer patient. Painful neuropathy can come from various sources and significantly impact quality of life. The most commonly observed scenario is paraesthesia and dysesthesia as a result of toxic effects of chemotherapies on the distal peripheral nerves. Neuropathic pain should be addressed ideally with the help of a neuro-oncologist, and it usually can be successfully treated with a variety of agents, including atypical analgesics such as antidepressants, newer drugs with analgesic benefit, and opioids for more refractory cases. Direct and indirect effects of the primary neoplasm need to be considered in the etiology of specific syndromes of mononeuropathies and plexopathies.
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PMID:Assessment of neuropathic pain in cancer patients. 1958 91

Neuropathic pain (NP) is defined as pain caused by lesion or dysfunction of the somatosensory system, as a result of abnormal activation of the nociceptive pathway (small fibers and spinothalamic tracts). The most common causes of this syndrome are the following: diabetes, post-herpetic neuralgia, trigeminal neuralgia, stroke, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, HIV infection, cancer. In the last few years, the NP has been receiving special attention for two main reasons: (1) therapeutical refractoriness of a variety of pain syndromes with predominant neuropathic characteristics and (2) the development of diagnostic tools for neuropathic pain complaints. The present review article provides relevant information on the understanding and recognition of NP, as well as evidence-based therapeutic approaches.
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PMID:What do general neurologists need to know about neuropathic pain? 1972 68

Neuropathic pain often occurs in the course of cancer evolution, but also as sequelae of surgical treatment, chemotherapy, or radiotherapy, when a nervous structure is impaired. Clinical features of neuropathic pain are specific, including spontaneous and evoked painful symptoms that are localized in an area of sensitive nerve distribution. Neuropathic pain may be concomitant to nociceptive pain, and its diagnosis can be easily performed in clinical practice using the DN4 questionnaire. Treatment of neuropathic pain is also specific, based on certain antidepressant or antiepileptic, often in combination with strong opioids.
Bull Cancer 2009 Sep 01
PMID:[Neuropathic pain in cancer.]. 1990 97

Neuropathic pain is initiated or caused by a primary lesion or dysfunction in the central and/or peripheral nervous systems, including infection, trauma, metabolic abnormalities, and nerve compression, and is typically accompanied by hyperalgesia and allodynia. Neuropathic pain can be mild to excruciating, debilitating, difficult to manage, cause depression, decrease the quality of life, require extremity amputations, and has a variety of clinical symptoms. It effects up to 5% of the population, 70% of patients with advanced cancer and inflammatory pathologies, and 95% of patients with spinal cord injuries. The primary treatments of neuropathic pain are antidepressants, anticonvulsants, local anesthetic/topical agents, and opioids. The rapidly evolving symptom- and mechanism-based approaches to the treatment of neuropathic pain holds promise for improving the quality of life of patients with neuropathic pain. However, pharmacological treatment of the symptoms are difficult because of the limited understanding of the underlying causes of the pain, and the systemic levels of multiple side effects induced by various agents at an effective dose. Further, neuropathic pain is often refractory to conventional analgesic treatments, with most patients obtaining only partial relief with these agents, and with tolerability or side effects often limiting their use. Alternative treatments to pharmacology include peripheral or neuraxial nerve blockade, and implanted cortical or spinal cord stimulators. However, the great need remains for development of new and more effective approaches to reducing neuropathic pain. This review examines various approaches currently used for treatment of neuropathic pain and potential new and more effective approaches.
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PMID:Reducing and eliminating neuropathic pain. 1999 36

Neuropathic pain (NP) is a debilitating symptom experienced by a number of patients with cancer. We evaluated the validity of ID Pain as a screening tool for NP in breast cancer survivors using the Self-Report Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs (S-LANSS) and a reported diagnosis of NP as criterion measures. Two hundred forty breast cancer survivors with a mean age of 58 years (standard deviation=16) participated in this survey. Forty-five percent of the sample reported having pain in the past week. Of those reporting pain, 33% reported that they had been diagnosed by their health care provider with NP, 39% had a positive ID Pain (> or = 2) score, and 19% had a positive S-LANSS score. The most commonly endorsed ID Pain item was "hot/burning" (n=48) followed by feeling "numb" (n=47) and "pins and needles" (n=45). Total ID Pain score was significantly associated with a clinical diagnosis of NP (r=0.41; P<0.001) and the S-LANSS total score (r=0.54; P<0.001). Receiver operating curve analysis demonstrated that ID Pain has a predictive validity of 0.72 and 0.70 for diagnosis of NP as made by clinicians and the S-LANSS, respectively. We also found that an ID Pain score greater than or equal to 2 corresponded with the likelihood of NP in this sample, consistent with the original ID Pain development study. This study provides evidence for ID Pain as a valid screening measure for NP in breast cancer survivors.
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PMID:Neuropathic pain in breast cancer survivors: using the ID pain as a screening tool. 2047 48

Neuropathic pain--pain resulting from a lesion, damage, or dysfunction of the somatosensory nervous system--can arise through several distinct etiologies ranging from toxicity, surgery, radiation, and trauma to congenital disorders. Neuropathic pain is widely recognized as a common consequence of cancer and results from administration of several common oncology drugs. It not only impacts quality of life, but it also impacts patient outcomes because of resulting treatment delays, dose reductions, and discontinuations. We estimate that the cost of the problem in the U.S. alone is approximately $2.3 billion. Despite its widely recognized importance, there is a paucity of reliable information available regarding the incidence, prevalence of patient-and physician-reported severity, and time course of cancer-related neuropathic pain. To address this severe knowledge gap, we need new, high-quality, population-based studies of individual cancer pain syndromes and conditions. However, in order to gather this information, we also need substantial improvements in the specific classification of cancer-related neuropathic syndromes and better validated diagnostic tools that can help to elucidate the incidence, prevalence, severity, and potential economic impact of cancer-associated neuropathies.
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PMID:Types and epidemiology of cancer-related neuropathic pain: the intersection of cancer pain and neuropathic pain. 2048 90

Integrative oncology is the synthesis of mainstream cancer care and evidence-based complementary therapies. Complementary strategies include massage therapies, acupuncture, fitness, and mind-body techniques, which take advantage of the reciprocal relationship between the mind and body. Neuropathic pain--and pain more generally--is part of a complex process involving the whole physical and psychosocial being, therefore requiring an integrative management approach. Several studies have demonstrated, for example, that social context plays an important role in the perception of pain and that a patient's coping strategies can influence the persistence of pain. In this article, we briefly describe research illustrating the promise of integrative approaches for the treatment of cancer-related neuropathic pain.
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PMID:Integrative and behavioral approaches to the treatment of cancer-related neuropathic pain. 2048 93

Neuropathic pain mechanisms are present in up to 40% of patients with cancer pain. In these situations, additional or adjuvant analgesic drugs (such as antidepressants or antiepileptics) are often required to optimize pain control alongside standard opioid therapy. This systematic review aimed to determine the effectiveness of antidepressants and antiepileptics when added to opioids, compared to opioids alone, for the management of pain caused directly by cancer. Prospective clinical studies, published in English that used a before-after design or randomized or non-randomized group comparisons were identified. Data were extracted on pain intensity, pain relief and adverse events. Eight studies were eligible (five randomized controlled trials) that recruited 465 patients in total, of whom 370 (79.5%) completed the study period. A narrative analysis was performed because clinical and methodological heterogeneity prevented meta-analysis. Included studies suggested that adjuvants improve pain control within 4-8 days when added to opioids for cancer pain; the strongest evidence supports gabapentin. However, a reduction in pain intensity of greater than 1 point on a 0-10 numerical rating scale is unlikely, but an increase in adverse events is likely. For all adjuvants, the effect size was much less than that seen in patients with non-cancer neuropathic pain. Dosing strategies that can be examined in future clinical trials are suggested.
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PMID:Effectiveness of antiepileptic or antidepressant drugs when added to opioids for cancer pain: systematic review. 2067 Oct 6

Pain is a source of suffering in most advanced cancer patients, but many effective treatments exist. We updated previous systematic reviews on cancer pain treatment with targeted literature searches. Addressing pain involves comprehensive assessment, including other symptoms and sources of distress and barriers to pain management, and investigating potential etiologies and oncological emergencies when potential benefits exceed burdens. Initial treatment may involve acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents, although opioids should be considered quickly if not effective or for severe pain. The initial approach also includes education and psychosocial interventions as appropriate. Neuropathic pain and bony pain may require specific interventions if initial treatment is not effective; the best evidence supports the use of gabapentin and single-fraction radiation, respectively. Potential spinal cord compression requires urgent evaluation and treatment. Most cancer pain can be effectively addressed with an evidence-based approach of medications, nonpharmacological approaches, and interventions when appropriate.
Cancer J
PMID:Evidence-based approaches to pain in advanced cancer. 2089 Jan 47


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