Dexmedetomidine Use in a Case of Severe Cancer Pain

Abstract

A 58-year-old male with chronic pancreatitis was seen by the palliative care service for pain and agitation related to a recent diagnosis of disseminated abdominal cancer. Increasing symptom burden, including pain and nausea, in the face of escalating doses of multiple opioid and sedative medications resulted in the addition of dexmedetomidine to successfully control his symptoms. Visceral sensitization related to his chronic pancreatitis likely increased his pain perception and required a multimodal approach to control his symptoms.

Keywords:

• Cancer pain
• central nervous system sensitization
• dexmedetomidine
• pancreatitis
• peritoneal neoplasms
• terminal care

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge the help and support of the 8 East nursing staff and leaders for their care of the patient involved, Dr. Jennifer Aron, and the reference librarian staff of the Medical University of South Carolina library.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the article.