Review article : Pain in prostatic cancer

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Abstract
The authors report an overview of current specific antitumoral and other methods for treating the pain associated with advanced prostatic cancer. Pathological studies show that bone involvement is the main cause of pain. Bone and spinal metastases and pathological fracture are the most frequent challenges of this pathology. The role and results of chemotherapy, radiotherapy and hormonal treatments for pain relief are reported and discussed. Analgesic drugs are the mainstay of specific pain management, in which NSAIDs associated with opiates play an important role. Other forms of treatment (neural-blockade techniques) must be used only in selected cases. The authors conclude that the terminal stage of prostatic cancer requires multidisciplinary supportive care in which symptom control should be linked with active psychosocial help.