[Pain treatment in advanced head and neck tumors. Pilot study with continuous subcutaneous administration of morphine].

Abstract

In the pain treatment of patients with incurable head and neck tumors it may be difficult to provide adequate oral drug therapy in the advanced stages. In these cases continuous subcutaneous application of morphine by means of external infusors is an alternative. This mode of application was investigated in the long-term treatment of 20 patients with pain that had been therapyresistent until then. Producing sufficient analgesia and having, all told, comparable side-effects, this method was experienced by all patients as being more agreeable than the previously used oral mode of application. Technical simplicity of handling makes this safe and effective treatment concept also a valuable means for outpatient care in tumor clinics.