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01-02-2016 | Review Article

Breakthrough pain and its treatment: critical review and recommendations of IOPS (Italian Oncologic Pain Survey) expert group

Authors: Sebastiano Mercadante, Paolo Marchetti, Arturo Cuomo, Massimo Mammucari, Augusto Caraceni, on behalf of the IOPS MS study Group

Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer | Issue 2/2016

Abstract

Controversies exist about the definition and epidemiology of breakthrough cancer pain (BTcP), the pharmacological treatment options, drug dosing, and how to select the medications for BTcP among the new fentanyl products. Existing data were critically evaluated to provide recommendations by an expert group. An algorithm to diagnose BTcP should be used followed by a careful assessment. Fentanyl products provide efficacy and rapidity of action to counteract the temporal pattern of BTcP. The doses of opioids used for background pain should guide the choice of the doses of fentanyl products. The choice of fentanyl products should be based on individual clinical conditions.

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Title: Breakthrough pain and its treatment: critical review and recommendations of IOPS (Italian Oncologic Pain Survey) expert group
Authors: Sebastiano Mercadante
Paolo Marchetti
Arturo Cuomo
Massimo Mammucari
Augusto Caraceni
on behalf of the IOPS MS study Group
Publication date: 01-02-2016
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer / Issue 2/2016
Print ISSN: 0941-4355
Electronic ISSN: 1433-7339
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-015-2951-y

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