Treatment of Chronic Hiccups in Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review

Calsina-Berna, Agnès; García-Gómez, Garbiñe; González‐Barboteo, Jesús; Porta-Sales, Josep

doi:10.1089/jpm.2012.0087

Cited by 38 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 40 publications

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“…Pruritus has been often caused by infections, many medical and dermatologic disorders, allergy, and some medications [9,19]. Hiccup is caused by nerve damage or irritation, from pre-phrenic nucleus irritation of medulla, or other neurologic disorders [4,10,15,17,19]. Tenesmus is generally associated with several inflammatory diseases of the bowel and urogenital system or pelvic floor dysfunction [1].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Orphan symptoms in advanced cancer patients followed at home

Mercadante¹,

Porzio²,

Valle³

et al. 2013

Support Care Cancer

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Orphan symptoms are rarely assessed, particularly at home. The aim of this multicenter prospective study was to assess the prevalence of these symptoms and eventual factors possibly associated in advanced cancer patients at admission of a home care program. A prospective study was performed at three home care programs in Italy. Patients' data were collected, including age, sex, diagnosis, and Karnofsky status. Possible contributing factors were analyzed; preexisting neurological diseases, cerebral metastases, hyperthermia, diabetes, a state of dehydration clinically evident and/or oliguria, possible biochemical parameters when available, data regarding recent chemotherapy, opioids and doses, use of neuroleptics, benzodiazepine or anticonvulsants, corticosteroids, anti-inflammatory, and antibiotics were collected.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Orphan symptoms in advanced cancer patients followed at home

Mercadante¹,

Porzio²,

Valle³

et al. 2013

Support Care Cancer

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“…However, given that this is likely to be multifactorial in palliative care situations, a symptomatic approach is often more applicable 3. There are a number of drugs that have been commonly used for chronic hiccups.…”

Section: Treatment Of Hiccupsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Most hiccups are benign and self-limited, ceasing within hours. However, 1%–9% of patients with advanced cancer complain of persistent or intractable hiccups 3. A case report study on oesophageal cancer by Khorakiwala et al even suggested that hiccups should be considered as a potential presenting symptom of oesophageal cancer, as 27% of their 99 patients complained of persistent hiccups 4.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Management of hiccups in palliative care patients

Jeon

Kearney

Baker

2017

BMJ Support Palliat Care

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Persistent hiccups are a frustrating experience for palliative care patients, and can have a profound impact on their quality of life. This article provides an evidence-based approach overview of the causes and treatment of this not infrequently debilitating condition for such patients, with a management algorithm. In situations where no readily reversible cause is identified, or where simple physical manoeuvres, such as breath holding have failed, a systematic approach is required. Hiccups can be broadly divided into central and peripheral types. These respond differently to pharmacological intervention. The drug of choice for central causes of persistent hiccups is baclofen, with metoclopramide recommended as the first choice for peripheral causes. Midazolam may be useful in cases of terminal illness. Interventional procedures such as vagal or phrenic nerve block or stimulation should be considered in patients who are refractory to medications. The management of persistent hiccups still presents an ongoing clinical challenge however, requiring further research on pathophysiology and treatment strategies. Multinational randomised controlled trials to evaluate and compare both current and new medications or procedures to better manage this difficult condition are suggested as a means of reaching this goal.

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“…Hiccup is an abrupt and involuntary spasm of the diaphragm and intercostal muscles followed by sudden closure of the glottis (1). An intractable hiccup, defined as a persistent hiccup for more than one month, is a rare disorder that causes significant morbidity in patients with advanced cancers (2).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…While the known etiologies of hiccup in palliative cancer patients include side effect of chemotherapy, electrolytes derangements, esophagitis, and neoplastic involvement in the central nervous system, thorax, and abdominal cavity, the etiologies remain obscure in most cases (2). Because intractable hiccup is very difficult to be treated by conventional methods, such as holding a breath and drinking cold water, variable pharmacologic treatments have been researched, including anticonvulsants, dopamine antagonists, and methylphenidate or serotonin receptor agonists (3).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Treatment of Lung Cancer-Related Intractable Hiccups Using Pulsed Radiofrequency: Clinical Experience

Cho

2018

Korean J Hosp Palliat Care

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While most benign hiccups can be controlled with empirical therapy, intractable hiccups lasting longer than one month tend to have significant adverse effects with obscure etiology. Treatment strategies for intractable hiccups have not been established. Only a few sporadic cases of bilateral phrenic nerve blockage have been reported. Here, we report a case of intractable hiccups that lasted five weeks in a 56-year-old male patient with a lung cancer above the right diaphragm. We hypothesized that his intractable hiccups were caused by irritation and mass effect caused by the lung cancer. We performed an ultrasound-guided right unilateral phrenic nerve pulsed radiofrequency treatment, and the patient's intractable hiccups were successfully managed without complication.

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Treatment of Chronic Hiccups in Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review

Cited by 38 publications

References 40 publications

Orphan symptoms in advanced cancer patients followed at home

Orphan symptoms in advanced cancer patients followed at home

Management of hiccups in palliative care patients

Treatment of Lung Cancer-Related Intractable Hiccups Using Pulsed Radiofrequency: Clinical Experience

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