Psicooncologia (Jun 2013)

Oncologic breakthrough pain or the uncovered cinderella

  • Yolanda Escobar Álvarez,
  • Dulce Rodríguez Mesa,
  • Jordi Moya Riera,
  • Maite Murillo Gonzalez

DOI
https://doi.org/10.5209/rev_PSIC.2013.v10.41955
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 10, no. 1
pp. 169 – 176

Abstract

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Cinderella is a fairy tale character who represents the archetypal young person getting happiness after bitter experiences due to misunderstanding and lack of attention from her family and social environment. Similarly, breakthrough pain is a relevant clinical problem due to its frequency and intensity but it is also a victim of lack of knowledge and lack of interest. Breakthrough pain, despite is a relevant clinical problem because of its high prevalence and its intensity, remains poorly understood and therefore improperly treated and poorly investigated. However, proper diagnosis and assessment are feasible, and treatment includes drugs as fentanyl administered through mucous membranes that fits to the characteristics of the breakthrough pain as the shoe of glass slipper fits in the foot of Cinderella. Other feet have been tested with no luck but only the mysterious kitchen’s girl can legitimize the ownership and therefore be the chosen by the prince.

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