Effects of palliative intrathecal analgesia on patients with refractory cancer bone pain.

ABSTRACT

This study examined the effects of intrathecal analgesia (ITA) using an extracorporeal pump with a subcutaneous port system in cancer patients with bone metastasis. Among the patients who died of cancer with bone metastasis at the palliative care unit of our institution, 11 who received ITA were selected. Changes in pain, opioid doses, the palliative prognostic index (PPI), and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Scale　after ITA were assessed. Pain, opioid doses, and PPI decreased after ITA (P = 0.002, 0.002, and 0.017). ITA for cancer patients with increased PPI due to refractory cancer bone pain decreased pain, opioid doses, and PPI.(100 words).