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19-04-2017 | Breast cancer | Article

Practical Approach to the Management of Cancer Breakthrough Pain

Author: Donald Taylor

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Now that we have discussed the characteristics, definitions, and treatment of cancer breakthrough pain (cBTP), we will review a practical approach to managing cBTP through a step-by-step method, outlined by Mercadante and Davies (Figure 4.1) [1,2], and apply their recommended approaches through two case studies. At the initiation of treatment and throughout treatment, the clinician and healthcare team should always tailor and individualize their treatment methods to the patient. The World Health Organization’s (WHO’s) pain ladder’s recommendations of making the treatment of cBTP “for the individual” and with “attention to detail” are critical to remember when finding appropriate treatment options for the patient.

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