Neuropathic pain in cancer patients: A brief review.

ABSTRACT

Neuropathic pain (NP) is initiated or caused by a primary lesion or dysfunction in the nervous system. The NP in cancer patients is typically due to a combination of inflammatory, neuropathic, ischemic, infiltrative, and compression mechanisms that involve one or more anatomic sites. These patients will often have various types of co‑existing pain syndromes and co‑morbidities. Thus, any treatment plan needs to be individualized. After a thorough clinical assessment and evaluation, a combination therapy including anticonvulsants, antidepressants, N‑methyl‑D‑aspartate antagonists, opiates, topical agents, and interventional procedures should be considered in these patients.