Abstract
Patients with head and neck cancers have various unique physical and functional problems related to the cancer. In the use of opioid preparations for palliative care of these patients, the unique problems associated with head and neck cancers must be taken into consideration. In this study the application of opioid preparations for palliative care of these patients was retrospectively assessed based on the data obtained from the medical charts of 62 patients with head and neck cancers who were treated and attended to in their deathbed by us. Based on results of assessment regarding the methods of introduction of opioid preparations in these patients, the opioid preparations appropriate for palliative care of pain were assessed. Investigation regarding the contents of rotation of opioid preparations and the reasons for such rotation revealed that many patients with head and neck cancers had performed a rotation of opioid preparations and that it is important to take into consideration the unique problems associated with head and neck cancers when selecting appropriate opioid preparations. The results of investigation regarding the routes of administration of opioid preparations at the time of death indicate that because of the unique nature of the problems associated with head and neck cancers, the use of continuous subcutaneous infusion of opioids is needed for the treatment of these patients. In regard to the applications of opioid preparations for cancer pain in patients with head and neck cancers, it is necessary to consider drug selection based on consideration of the unique problems associated with these cancers and employ rotation of opioid preparations. Furthermore, the routes of administration of opioid preparations must be taken into account when the physician attends to such patients in their deathbed.
