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Together is a new resource for anyone affected by pediatric cancer - patients and their parents, family members, and friends.
Learn MoreOpioids have an important role in treating cancer-related pain in children.
Pain is common during and after cancer treatment. Pain management is part of patient care. But parents of pediatric cancer patients may have concerns about their child taking opioids. Their widespread use and misuse has led to a nationwide opioid crisis.
However, opioids can be an effective treatment for some pain caused by cancer and certain cancer treatments.
Opioids are a class of pain relievers available legally by prescription. These drugs include hydrocodone, oxycodone, morphine, fentanyl, and methadone.
Prescription opioids are used to reduce acute or chronic moderate to severe pain. They may be prescribed for visceral pain. This type of pain is caused by a response to a physical stimulus such as a surgical procedure or a tumor pressing against an organ. Opioids may also be used to control pain during end-of-life care.
Read more about types of pain and pain management.
While important tools in treating cancer-related pain, opioids are not the only ones in the toolbox. A multidisciplinary approach is highly recommended. It may include other medicines and other types of therapies that don’t involve medicine.
Opioids can be highly addictive. However, the care team will take precautions to help prevent addiction. For example, the care team may prescribe opioids for a short period of time to reduce the patient’s exposure to them.
The care team may also assess risk factors for addiction and decide if the patient is low-risk, moderate-risk, or high-risk. The care team can use this information in developing a pain treatment plan.
If opioids are prescribed, many pediatric centers require patients and parents to sign a substance use contract or agreement before starting opioids. This document has statements about the patient’s and family’s roles and responsibilities, the conditions under which opioid treatment may be ended, and the responsibilities of the care provider.
Contracts can help care providers and patient families have conversations about opioid treatment and resolve questions and concerns.
The care team can use different methods to monitor patients to make sure opioids are used correctly.
The care team will watch patients closely for signs of opioid misuse. Parents should speak to the care team if these signs are observed:
If misuse occurs, the care team can work with the patient’s family to come up with solutions.
If you have concerns about opioids, talk openly about them with care team members.
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Reviewed: January 2019