The efficacy of tapentadol for mixed pain caused by the spinal metastasis of angiosarcoma: a case report

Abstract

A 48-year-old man was admitted to the hospital for pain control. The CT imaging revealed multiple bone metastasis including right 6^th rib, ilium and spine caused by angiosarcoma. Tapentadol 200 mg/day was started on Day 1. The pain was relieved and the sleep disturbance was disappeared on Day 2. Immediate-release hydromorphone 2 mg/dose was prescribed from Day 6 as a rescue medication for tingling breakthrough pain when moving. Tapentadol was increased to 300 mg/day from Day 7. On Day 8, the pain was relieved and he became able to walk. The patient was discharged on Day 10 after pain relief was obtained following 400 mg/day of tapentadol and 4 mg/dose of immediate-release hydromorphone. Recently, the efficacy of tapentadol for the neuropathic pain caused by bone metastasis has been reported. Tapentadol may be a treatment of choice for the neuropathic pain caused by multiple bone metastasis of angiosarcoma.