Management of Pain in Cancer Patients at a South Indian Hospital

The main objectives were to study the incidence of cancer in the locality, pattern of drug prescribed and management of pain in cancer patients. In a total of 30 patients, 18 (60%) were male and 12 (40%) were female. Patients between the age group 51 and 60 were found to be more (n=7; 23.33%) to get hospitalized for the treatment of cancer. Right breast cancer (n=3; 10%) is more predominant in the cancer patients as a past medical history, which is followed by Left breast cancer, Penis cancer, Acute myeloid leukemia in 6.66% (n=2) and Non- Hodgkin lymphoma, B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, T-cell lymphoma, Acute lymphocytic leukemia and airway obstruction, Burkett's lymphoma, Right lung cancer, Carcinoma of mild transverse colon, etc. Diagnosis in the study population shown that Hodgkin lymphoma (n=4; 13.33%) and Right breast cancer (n=4; 13.33%) were predominant cancer, which is followed by B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, left breast cancer, penis cancer, acute myeloid leukemia in each of 2 (6.66%) patients. The most commonly used pain medications were Tramadol and Diazepam, these drugs are prescribed in 8 patients each (26.66%), and it is followed by Morphine, Phenobarbital and Flurazepamwere found in 4 patients each (13.33%).