Journal of pain and symptom management
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Dec 2003
Multicenter Study Clinical TrialCeliac plexus block for pancreatic cancer pain: factors influencing pain, symptoms and quality of life.
Neurolytic celiac plexus block (NCPB) is claimed to be an effective method of pain control for pancreatic cancer pain. However, the factors that may influence long-term analgesia, adverse effects, and quality of life after performing NCPB have never been determined. In a prospective multicenter study, 22 patients who underwent NCPB were followed until death. ⋯ The analgesic and symptomatic effect of NCPB is presumably advantageous for about four weeks. A possible factor interfering with long-term outcome includes the capacity of cancer to involve the celiac axis, which can distort the anatomy and prevent neurolytic spread, or modify the pain mechanisms. Outcomes are strongly based on individual variation.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Dec 2003
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialParoxetine in the treatment of severe non-dermatological pruritus: a randomized, controlled trial.
Severe pruritus may be an idiopathic phenomenon or associated with advanced systemic disease. It is one of the most distressing and difficult to treat symptoms. Uncontrolled studies have suggested that, in patients experiencing severe pruritus, paroxetine appeared to have a rapid anti-pruritic effect. ⋯ Nine of twenty-four patients (37.5%) fulfilled criteria of response. The onset of anti-pruritic action was observed usually after 2-3 days, irrespective of the order of treatment. The outcome of this study indicates that paroxetine is effective in the treatment of severe pruritus of non-dermatological origin.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Dec 2003
Letter Review Case ReportsChronic lymphocytic leukemia resembling metastatic bone disease-- an unusual manifestation.