When Constipation is not due to Opioids and the Management of Pain is not Proper: Implications in Cancer Treatment

Beatriz Losada Vila, David Gut

Abstract

Pain is a frequent symptom in the evolution of a cancer patient, affecting 70% of them in terms of decreasing quality of life. Treatment should adapt to type and intensity of pain in order to optimize analgesic control. In this case report we will review different pain types with the use of questionnaires, emphasizing the importance of side effects (constipation), their etiology (<50% of constipation is due to opioids) and indications of opioids rotation, taking into account elderly patient´s fragility.