Opioids in Cancer Therapy: Benefits, Risks, and Critical Challenges

Abstract

Pain management in cancer patients is one of the main components of palliative treatment. The requirement for rational use of opioids is careful selection of patients, correct prescription of these compounds, compliance with drug dosage, regular sequence of use, compliance with side effects, and drug interactions. Most cancer patients with moderate to severe pain will respond to treatment with opioid analgesics. Limited comprehensive studies have been conducted so far on the use of opioids in cancer pain management. In this chapter, databases for the search included PubMed, MedLine, and Embase databases along with reviews and cross-references. We examine the continuous use of opioids and the related consequences and challenges in the management of patients with cancer pain. In addition, the discussion includes the therapeutic use of opioids, the effectiveness of treatment with this group of compounds, the assessment of the risk of continuous opioid use, and the guidance for administration of opioids in patients with cancer. In general, the effects of opioid use in different age groups with on cancer progression, metastases, and recurrence can be an interesting indication that is worth future research in case of loss of analgesic response in time.