Medial Branch Radiofrequency Treatment for Low-Back Pain in Cancer Patients: A Case Series

Abstract

Cancer patients are increasing in number, with an increased lifespan and advances in cancer treatment. Palliative care physicians often encounter difficulties in caring for patients with pain. In addition to cancer-related pain, patients with cancer may suffer from various musculoskeletal diseases, resulting in significant functional limitations of physical activities of daily living. We present three cases illustrating methods to deal with nonspecific mechanical low-back pain in patients with advanced cancer. We provide our therapeutic experiences, focusing on the usefulness of radiofrequency treatment in palliative care in patients with cancer.

A Case of Nerve Root Radiofrequency Thermocoagulation for Pain Due to Pleural Metastasis of Lung Cancer Leading to Improvement in the Patient's Quality of Life

“…Another alternative interventional therapeutic procedure is pulsed radiofrequency therapy. 10 , 11 Since the number of cancer survivors is expected to increase in the future, there is a need to develop pain management strategies for these patients. In addition to pharmacological treatments, interventional therapies, such as nerve root RF, have the potential to maintain a high level of ADL and QOL without affecting the patient's lifespan.…”