Transdermal fentanyl for pain control in patients with cancer.

Five cancer patients experienced satisfactory pain relief for periods of 3-156 days using continuous transdermal delivery of the narcotic fentanyl. The patients, aged 16-68 years, had all been experiencing pain and were either unable to take oral analgesic medications or these agents were ineffective in controlling pain. Doses were adjusted to individual patient needs and varied from 75 micrograms/h to 350 micrograms/h (median = 225 micrograms/h).

Cerebrospinal fluid and plasma pharmacokinetics of morphine infusions in pediatric cancer patients and rhesus monkeys.

The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma pharmacokinetics of morphine administered as a continuous infusion were studied in pediatric cancer patients and in monkeys with implanted Ommaya reservoirs. In monkeys administered a constant infusion of 0.15 mg morphine sulfate/kg/h, morphine steady-state plasma and CSF concentrations were 84.

Pain as a presenting symptom in children and young adults with newly diagnosed malignancy.

The incidence and nature of pain in 92 children and young adults presenting with newly diagnosed malignancy at the Pediatric Branch of the National Cancer Institute over a 26 month period were assessed. At the time of their initial evaluation, 72 of the total 92 patients were experiencing pain that had been present for a median of 74 days (range 3-821 days) prior to initiation of cancer treatment. In 57 patients, pain had been an initial symptom of cancer; 42 patients had experienced sleep disturbance due to pain.

The prevalence of pain in a pediatric and young adult cancer population.

The prevalence and nature of pain in the population of children and young adults with malignancy treated by the Pediatric Branch of the National Cancer Institute were assessed over a 6 month period. One hundred and thirty-nine patients were evaluated during 161 in-patient days and 195 out-patient clinic visits. Approximately 50% of the patients assessed in the hospital and 25% of the patients assessed in the out-patient clinic were found to be experiencing some degree of pain at the time of assessment.

Analgesic plasma concentrations of morphine in children with terminal malignancy receiving a continuous subcutaneous infusion of morphine sulfate to control severe pain.

Three children with terminal malignancy received a continuous subcutaneous infusion of morphine sulfate for the control of severe pain, the morphine dose being adjusted until the patient and/or parent reported complete freedom from pain. Analgesic plasma morphine concentrations at the steady state in these patients ranged from 12.9 to 57 ng/ml (median 19.