Abstract
We report a patient having advanced pancreatic cancer with severe pain who declined oral opioids and was treated with repeated neurolytic celiac plexus blocks to control the pain. A 56-year-old woman with pancreatic cancer developed pain 2 months after surgery. The pain was not controlled satisfactorily with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; however, the patient declined taking oral opioids so as to continue her daily job. The pain in the shoulders, back, and abdomen worsened with enlargement of the tumor. The patient received repeated neurolytic celiac plexus block (4 times) in addition to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The patient continued her job until retirement. Thereafter, she took oral opioid, which controlled the pain until her death. Repeated neurolytic celiac plexus block may be an option for the treatment of pancreatic cancer pain in patients who decline opioids.
