Transdermal fentanyl in cancer patients with moderate-to-severe pain: A prospective examination

Background: The aim of the study was to evaluate prospectively the analgesi c efficacy, toxicity and acceptability of the transdermal fentanyl therapeu tic system (TTS-F) in creek cancer patients with moderate-to-severe pain. M ethods: Forty-eight patients participated in the study: 34 were omen and 14 women, mean age was 63, and all bur 2 had advanced stage (IV) cancer. Pati ents received TTS-F for a period of 8 weeks. Doses ranged from 25 to 225 mu g/h. Thirty-three patients completed the study. Results: Data indicated sta tistically significant lower pain scores on both NRS and EORTC QLC-C30 at a ll follow-ups compared to baseline. In addition, the vast majority of the p atients found the transdermal system easy to use and reported as being sati sfied or highly satisfied with it. The only observed side-effect was vomiti ng. Conclusion: In summary, transdermal fentanyl appeared an acceptable, sa fe and effective method of managing chronic pain induced by malignancies.