Abstract
Aim: The purpose of this study is to know the current status of interventional treatment (IT) for cancer pain in Japan. Methods: Questionnaires were posted to 583 directors of hospices or palliative care and pain clinics in Japan. Results: Answers were obtained from 209 directors (35.8%). IT was performed in 65.2% of facilities but not in 34.8%, and the rate of performance was higher in the facilities whose director was an anesthesiologist rather than a palliative care physician (76.5% vs. 40.8%). The main reasons for no performance was the achievement of pain control with medication (28.1%), no doctors to perform IT (25.9%), labor shortage of anesthesiologists (17.8%), fear of complications (9.6%), no knowledge of indications (5.9%). Conclusion: Increase in doctors who can perform IT and education of the usefulness of IT are necessary for the spread of IT.
