[Neuropathic pain in oncology. Novel evidence for clinical practice]

Recenti Prog Med. 2011 May;102(5):220-7. doi: 10.1701/659.7673.
[Article in Italian]

Abstract

Neuropathic pain is usually considered an "hard pain" both for the intrinsic difficulties in a correct diagnosis, and for the modest efficacy of the most part of conventional treatments. The most frequently used drugs in clinical practice are tricyclic antidepressants and anticonvulsants, while a minor role is reserved to NSAIDs or to strong opiates. Aim of our work was to systematically analyze all the evidences of literature about the treatment options against neuropathic pain in oncology, focusing our attention upon the efficacy and the safety of the different therapeutic options assessed as Number-Needed-to-Treat (NNT) and Number-Needed-to-Harm (NNH). A critical analysis of literature was finally performed using the GRADE system. On the basis of our review and the NNT and NNH ratio, gabapentin, pregabalin and strong opiates seem to be the most effective and well tolerated options against neuropathic pain in oncology, while carbamazepine, amitryptiline, tramadol and NSAIDs do not seem to be valid options in front line approach against oncologic neuropathic pain, either for a minor efficacy or for an unfavorable safety profile. Further trials comparing the different effective options are needed to better define the correct approach against neuropathic pain in oncology.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Amines / therapeutic use
  • Amitriptyline / therapeutic use
  • Analgesics / therapeutic use*
  • Analgesics, Opioid / therapeutic use*
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / therapeutic use
  • Anticonvulsants / therapeutic use*
  • Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / therapeutic use
  • Carbamazepine / therapeutic use
  • Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids / therapeutic use
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Gabapentin
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms / complications*
  • Neuralgia / drug therapy*
  • Neuralgia / etiology
  • Pregabalin
  • Tramadol / therapeutic use
  • Treatment Outcome
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / analogs & derivatives
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Amines
  • Analgesics
  • Analgesics, Opioid
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
  • Anticonvulsants
  • Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic
  • Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids
  • Amitriptyline
  • Carbamazepine
  • Tramadol
  • Pregabalin
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
  • Gabapentin