Relief of cancer pain in a non small cell lung cancer patient by a polyhedral approach

We report a case of cancer-related pain relieved by a polyhedral approach. A woman in her late 30s with advanced non small cell lung cancer suffered from back pain caused by the cancer invasion to a thoracic vertebra. She could not take a sufficient dose of opioid due to its adverse effects. A supplementary analgesic was not found to be effective. Palliative radiation was considered desirable, but she could not maintain a dorsal position for irradiation due to back pain. Continuous epidural anesthesia was then introduced. Epidural anesthesia allowed her to lie in a spine position for radiation therapy. After completion of radiation therapy, her back pain was relieved with a low dose of transdermal fentanyl without epidural anesthesia.

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