Resumo

MORALES ALPIZAR, Catalina  e  SALAS HERRERA, Isaías. Manejo farmacológico del dolor en el paciente oncológico. Acta méd. costarric [online]. 2004, vol.46, n.3, pp.114-124. ISSN 0001-6002.

Pain pathophysiology is very complex since many different factors participate. In cancer, neoplastic cells grow uncontrollably so they affect somatic structures, nerves, bones, soft tissues, and hollow organs. So any type of pain can be present in this disease and the intensity of it can be extremely severe. There are many medications that are used for cancer pain control: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, tryciclic antidepresssants neuromodulators, steroids, biphosphonates and opioids. The latters are the medications most frequently used to treat this type of pain, however there are still many barriers for the appropriate use of these drugs.

Palavras-chave : dolor; cuidados paliativos; cáncer; opioides; analgesia.