Therapeutics in Terminal Cancer

This book shows how attention to detail can lead to effective treatment for patients in the terminal stages of their cancer, giving comfort to both themselves and their families. The authors offer a "framework of knowledge from which a doctor can develop an individual therapeutic approach". It is designed to stimulate the reader to look and look again at what he can add to its many suggestions as he develops his own practice in this demanding and rewarding field. The authors consider psychosocial issues and note the importance of team work and the doctor's commitment to the family as well as to his patient. This second edition contains a new section on lymphoedema and in the section on pain relief, the division of cancer pain into opioid responsive, semi-responsive and resistant is enunciated and more advice is given on opioids on the basis of receptor affinity and activity. It includes a section on oral morphine in advanced cancer, as well as advice on selected drugs doses in terminal cancer cases.