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Recent Research in Pain and Cachexia in Advanced Cancer and AIDS

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Current Perspectives and Future Directions in Palliative Medicine

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Summary

During recent years there have been major developments in the assessment and management of pain and cachexia in patients with advanced cancer. Many of these developments are applicable to patients with other terminal conditions including AIDS. A number of researchers have emphasized the need for a appropriate assessment and monitoring of the intensity of multiple symptoms. A number of predictors of outcome have been recently recognized, including neuropathic pain, incidental pain, tolerance, history of alcoholism or drug addiction, and somatization. As a result of increased education patients are receiving higher doses of opioids for cancer pain. This has brought increased understanding on the neurotoxicity of opioids, including delirium, hallucinations, myoclonus, hyperalgesia, and grand mal seizures. Both the parent compounds and multiple metabolites have been associated with these side effects. During recent years a number of clinical trials have confirmed the role of prokinetic agents, progestational drugs, and corticosteroids in the management of cancer cachexia. In addition, a group of new and exciting drugs are undergoing research including thalidomide, melatonin, and clenbuteral.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Alberta Cancer Foundation Chair in Palliative Medicine, Grey Nuns Community Hospital & Health Centre, Edmonton, AB, Canada

    Eduardo Bruera (Professor of Oncology)

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  1. Eduardo Bruera
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. National Shikoku Cancer Center, 13 Horinouchi, Matsuyama, Ehime, 790-8501, Japan

    Kenji Eguchi (Vice Director) (Vice Director)

  2. Institut Jules Bordet, Centre des Tumeurs de l’Université Libre de Bruxelles, Bruxelles, Rue Héger-Bordet 1, 1000, Bruxelles, Belgique

    Jean Klastersky (Professor and Chief of Medicine) (Professor and Chief of Medicine)

  3. Ontario Cancer Institute/Princess Margaret Hospital, 610 University Ave., Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2M9, Canada

    Ronald Feld (Professor of Medicine) (Professor of Medicine)

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© 1998 Springer-Verlag Tokyo

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Bruera, E. (1998). Recent Research in Pain and Cachexia in Advanced Cancer and AIDS. In: Eguchi, K., Klastersky, J., Feld, R. (eds) Current Perspectives and Future Directions in Palliative Medicine. Springer, Tokyo. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-4-431-68494-7_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-4-431-68494-7_1

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Tokyo

  • Print ISBN: 978-4-431-68496-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-4-431-68494-7

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