Knowledge advocates tiered approach in cancer pain

Knowledge advocates tiered approach in cancer pain
The treatment of pain in cancer patients should be done gradually and regularly evaluated. That advises the Federal Health Care Knowledge Centre (KCE). Patients should play an active role in the treatment of pain and get information about the pain, possible treatments and possible side effects

More than half of cancer patients suffer from pain and a lot of people who have been healed, have chronic pain. This pain is often inadequately treated, however. KCE therefore, based on literature research on nine types of pain therapy and in consultation with patients and

clinicians, a schedule that is based on the needs of a cancer patient and provides a tiered approach. For proper treatment, the cause, severity and nature the pain and the impact on the patient can be determined.

Therefore, a pain measurement is carried out with the aid of pain scales and / or questionnaires, a clinical evaluation and optionally further medical examinations. the treatment itself must be done in stages

 Pain from tissue damage, it is recommended to start with acetaminophen or anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g. ibuprofen). By nerve damage and bone pain If the pain persists or increases, the transition towards a heavier class of drugs, the uploads (derivatives of opium). In a number of cases, also corticosteroids (e.g., cortisone) administration.