Cancer Surv. 1988 ; 7(1): 161-93.

The non-drug treatment of neuralgic and neuropathic pain of malignancy.

Filshie J.

Royal Marsden Hospital, Sutton, Surrey.

Current non-drug treatment of neuropathic pain with stimulation techniques and nerve blocking techniques is reviewed. Many specific methods including electrical nerve stimulation, acupuncture, sympathetic blockade, epidural and intrathecal blocks, neurosurgical and psychological techniques are described. The move away from destructive procedures to non-destructive methods is noted. Shortcomings in the methods available highlight the fact that further study in this field is necessary.