A case in which ketamine was highly efficacious against opioid-resistant pain caused by prostate cancer bone metastasis, enabling long-term home care

ABSTRACT

<b>Objectives</b> Herein, we report a case in which intractable pain caused by prostate cancer bone metastasis was improved by long-term administration of ketamine at home. <b>Subject</b> A male patient in his 50s developed prostate cancer and pelvic bone metastasis. Even after receiving combined modality therapy, including administration of morphine hydrochloride through an epidural catheter at a dose of 80mg/day and radiation therapy (twice), he continued to experience pain of bone metastasis, and in particular, significant pain was caused during body motion. The pain improved considerably after the administration of ketamine, enabling his long-term home care. <b>Conclusion</b> We consider that ketamine still plays an important role in the improvement of opioid-resistant intractable pain of bone metastasis. Since ketamine can be used continuously at home, this medicine is able to be used for more appropriate cases as one of the choices. Palliat Care Res 2010; 5(2) 317-322