RESOLUTION OF TUMOR PAIN WITH EMLA CREAM

A 69-year-old woman was admitted for control of intractable rectal pai n caused by a 4-cm malignant mass. She was treated successfully with E MLA (eutectic mixture of local anesthetics) cream applied every 8 hour s and covered with a Xeroform dressing. Despite an increase in tumor s ize to 6 cm, her pain control was maintained with no local or systemic adverse effects. We believe topical EMLA may be effective in managing such lesions. Close patient monitoring is necessary, however, and lon g-term, controlled studies must be conducted to determine its safety a nd efficacy in this setting.