Evaluation of WHO guided pain management protocol in cases of cancer cervix

Abstract

Introduction and Aims: Pain is a common debilitating symptom of cancer cervix. It occurs in 25-50% patients with newly diagnosed malignancies and in more than 75% of those with advanced disease. Yet, it is one of the most unattended problem. Henceforth, this study was planned to assess pain and to evaluate the response to pain management according to WHO step ladder protocol in cases of cancer cervix. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective cohort study that included patients of cancer cervix with pain. Patients of cancer cervix with severe systemic debilitating illness and those who had undergone major surgery in past 2 weeks were excluded from the study. The severity of pain was assessed by using visual analogue scale. Pain was managed according to WHO step ladder protocol for pain. Result: Total 61.5% patients of cancer cervix presented with pain. Success rate of WHO pain management protocol was 95.3%. Conclusion: Pain management was done effectively using WHO guided step ladder pain management protocol in 95.3% of cases. Oral Morphine is an effective drug for pain management. It is easily titratable and has a favorable benefit to risk ratio.

Keywords

• Cancer cervix
• diclofenac
• morphine
• pain
• tramadol
• WHO step ladder protocol