Celiac plexus block increases quality of life in patients with pancreatic cancer

Celiac plexus block in pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors.

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNETs), an uncommon finding, are distinct from pancreatic carcinomas. When pNETs are unresectable and progressive, visceral pain often presents and is challenging to treat. Opioids commonly used for pain control are difficult to implement in this setting because of adverse side effects such as constipation. Neurolytic celiac plexus blocks are indicated in the t...

Effect of neurolytic celiac plexus block on pain relief, quality of life, and survival in patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer: a randomized controlled trial.

CONTEXT Pancreatic cancer is an aggressive tumor associated with high mortality. Optimal pain control may improve quality of life (QOL) for these patients. OBJECTIVE To test the hypothesis that neurolytic celiac plexus block (NCPB) vs opioids alone improves pain relief, QOL, and survival in patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PATIENTS Double-blind, randomized ...

Unresectable Pancreatic Cancer: A Randomized Quality of Life, and Survival in Patients With Effect of Neurolytic Celiac Plexus Block on Pain Relief,

EUS-guided celiac plexus neurolysis and celiac plexus block.

Pancreatic cancer and chronic pancreatitis commonly produce pain that is difficult to control.1,2 Initial therapy with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs) is often inadequate and necessitates opioid administration. Although opioids effectively relieve pain, they are associated with dry mouth, constipation, nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, delirium, and may impair immune function.3,4 In ...

Percutaneous neurolytic celiac plexus block.

Percutaneous neurolytic celiac plexus block (PNCPB) is an excellent treatment option for patients with intractable abdominal pain due to upper abdominal malignancies or chronic pancreatitis. In these patients, chronic refractory pain significantly decreases quality of life and often requires high doses of narcotics, which can lead to serious adverse side effects. PNCPB has been shown to have lo...