Assessments on Current Pain Managements in Upper Gastrointestinal Cancer Patients

Assessments on Current Pain Managements in Upper Gastrointestinal Cancer Patients

Pain is one of the most common symptoms associated with cancer. The approach to pain management compresses routine pain assessments, utilizes both pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic interventions, and requires ongoing reevaluation of the patient. Cancer pain can be well controlled in the vast majority of patients if the algorithms of pain control are systematically applied, carefully monitored, and tailored to the needs of the individual patient.This study is aimed to assess the current pain managements in upper gastrointestinal cancer patients in Taiwan. The effects of neuropathic pain and depression on the enrolled patients would also be assessed.

Inclusion Criteria:

• with a diagnose of advanced upper GI cancer based on pathology or imaging studies
• could report pain intensities and answer questionnaires by him/herself

Exclusion Criteria:

• with major neurologic or psychiatric diseases
• could not report pain intensities and answer questionnaires by him/herself