Successful treatment of refractory cancer pain with morphine and ropivacaine: A case report. Issue 22 (June 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Li, Hongyan; Yang, Liqiang; Guo, Zhaoxuan; Tang, Yuanzhang; Chen, Nan; Lu, Yinying; Ni, Jiaxiang
• Other Names: Ding. Jianxun section editor.
• Is Part Of: Medicine. Volume 96:Issue 22(2017)
• Publication Date: 2017-06
• Subjects: Cancer pain -- Morphine -- Ropivacaine; Medicine -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; Médecine -- Périodiques; Geneeskunde; Medicine; Periodicals; Periodicals; 610.5
• DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000007052
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0025-7974

Abstract

Abstract: Rationale: Pain is one of the most common and distressing symptoms experienced by cancer patients. Cancer pain is a complex phenomenon with physical, psychological, social, and cognitive domains. Although opioids remain a cornerstone of cancer pain management, they are not effective in all patients. This case highlights the successful treatment of an opioid-refractory severe cancer pain crisis with ropivacaine infusion and subsequent rapid tapering of opioid dose. Patient concerns: This report illustrates the use of ropivacaine for cancer pain. A 62-year-old man with metastatic lung cancer was admitted to the hospital with uncontrolled chest-back and abdominal pain. Diagnoses: The patient was diagnosed as refractory cancer pain. Interventions: Successful treatment with morphine and ropivacaine was performed to obtain longer opioid refractory severe cancer pain. Outcomes: At 1, 3, and 6 months postoperative review, 70-75% relief of pain was achieved with overall activity was improved. The analgesic effect was stable during the 6-month follow-up period. No complications were reported during the follow-up period. Lessons: Our report demonstrates that ropivacaine is successful treatment for cancer pain in this case. It will supply us a novel navigation in cancer pain treatments. Meanwhile, this finding still needs additional study for confirmation.