• Journal Article:

• Article Summary

This article outlines the evidence-based best practices and clinical guidelines developed by the American Society of Pain and Neuroscience (ASPN) for managing cancer-associated pain. The authors point out that moderate to severe pain significantly reduces quality of life and escalates healthcare utilization for cancer patients. Therefore, they evaluate the efficacy and safety of both traditional and expanding interventional therapies. Traditional options like general opioids, methadone, and ketamine are discussed. However, the article guidelines also strongly support advanced procedures like celiac or superior hypogastric plexus neurolysis for refractory abdominal and pelvic visceral pain. Additionally, the article highlights targeted intrathecal drug delivery and spinal cord stimulation as more innovative and effective methods analgesic methods. Ultimately, the paper emphasizes that patients with refractory pain and/or unacceptable side effects should be evaluated early for interventional therapies. Whereas before, overreliance of escalation of opioid dosing would have been commonplace, there are clear guidelines for other beneficial therapies.