Superior vena cava obstruction Superior vena cava obstruction (SVCO) is generally caused by extrinsic compression by metastases in upper mediastinal lymph nodes. It may...
Spinal cord compression Spinal cord compression occurs in 3-5% of patients with advanced cancer. Cancers of the breast, bronchus and prostate account for...
Pruritus Pruritus is an unpleasant sensation which provokes the desire to scratch. Causes / risk factors Allergies Renal –...
Phenobarbitone NOT RECOMMENDED FOR USE WITHOUT SPECIALIST PALLIATIVE CARE SUPERVISION Indication for use Terminal restlessness / delirium not responding...
Palliative Care Guidelines website http://book.pallcare.info/ The website above hosts the Palliative Care Guidelines developed by a collaboration of UK Cancer networks and the Welsh...
Octreotide Octreotide (Sandostatin) is the longer acting synthetic analogue of the naturally occurring hormone somatostatin. In the hypothalamus it inhibits the...
Methadone Not recommended for use without specialist supervision Methadone has both opioid and non-opioid properties and a much longer half life...
Lidocaine Introduction Lidocaine is an amide local anaesthetic that is a non-selective sodium channel blocker Acts by suppressing ectopic neural discharges...
Ketamine Not recommended for use without specialist supervision Ketamine is an NMDA receptor antagonist (NMDA receptor activation reduces opioid sensitivity) Acts...