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. 2017 Jul 19;7(7):CD012564.
doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD012564.pub2.

Opioids for cancer-related pain in children and adolescents

Philip J Wiffen  1 , Tess E Cooper, Anna-Karenia Anderson, Andrew L Gray, Marie-Claude Grégoire, Gustaf Ljungman, Boris Zernikow
Affiliations

Opioids for cancer-related pain in children and adolescents

Philip J Wiffen et al. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. .

Abstract

Background: Pain is a common feature of childhood and adolescence around the world, and for many young people, that pain is chronic. The World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines for pharmacological treatments for children's persisting pain acknowledge that pain in children is a major public health concern of high significance in most parts of the world. Views on children's pain have changed over time and relief of pain is now seen as important. In the past, pain was largely dismissed and was frequently left untreated, and it was assumed that children quickly forgot about painful experiences.We designed a suite of seven reviews in chronic non-cancer pain and cancer pain (looking at antidepressants, antiepileptic drugs, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, opioids, and paracetamol) to review the evidence for children's pain using pharmacological interventions.As one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity for children and adolescents in the world today, childhood cancer (and its associated pain) is a major health concern. Cancer pain in infants, children, and adolescents is primarily nociceptive pain with negative long term effects. Cancer-related pain is generally caused directly by the tumour itself such as compressing on the nerve or inflammation of the organs. Cancer-related pain generally occurs as a result of perioperative procedures, nerve damage caused by radiation or chemotherapy treatments, or mucositis. However, this review focused on pain caused directly by the tumour itself such as nerve infiltration, external nerve compression, and other inflammatory events.Opioids are used worldwide for the treatment of pain. Currently available opioids include: buprenorphine, codeine, fentanyl, hydromorphone, methadone, morphine, oxycodone, and tramadol. Opioids are generally available in healthcare settings across most developed countries but access may be restricted in developing countries. To achieve adequate pain relief in children using opioids, with an acceptable grade of adverse effects, the recommended method is to start with a low dose gradually titrated to effect or unacceptable adverse effect in the child.

Objectives: To assess the analgesic efficacy, and adverse events, of opioids used to treat cancer-related pain in children and adolescents aged between birth and 17 years, in any setting.

Search methods: We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) via the Cochrane Register of Studies Online, MEDLINE via Ovid and Embase via Ovid from inception to 22 February 2017. We also searched the reference lists of retrieved studies and reviews, and searched online clinical trial registries.

Selection criteria: Randomised controlled trials (RCTs), with or without blinding, of any dose, and any route, treating cancer-related pain in children and adolescents, comparing opioids with placebo or an active comparator.

Data collection and analysis: Two review authors independently assessed studies for eligibility. We planned to use dichotomous data to calculate risk ratio and number needed to treat for one additional event, using standard methods. We assessed GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation) and planned to create a 'Summary of findings' table.

Main results: No studies were identified that were eligible for inclusion in this review (very low quality evidence). Several studies tested opioids on adults with cancer-related pain, but none in participants aged from birth to 17 years.We rated the quality of evidence as very low, downgraded due to a lack of available data; no analyses could be undertaken.

Authors' conclusions: No conclusions can be drawn about efficacy or harm in the use of opioids to treat cancer-related pain in children and adolescents. As a result, there is no RCT evidence to support or refute the use of opioids to treat cancer-related pain in children and adolescents.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

PW: none known.

TC: none known.

AKA: none known; AKA is a specialist paediatric palliative care consultant and manages children and adolescents with advanced cancer and non‐cancer conditions which are life limiting.

AG: none known; AG serves on medicines regulatory and selection bodies, and previously contributed to WHO guidance on the management of pain in children.

MCG: none known; MCG is a specialist paediatric pain and palliative care physician and treats patients with complex pain.

GL: none known; GL is a specialist paediatric oncologist and paediatric pain physician and manages patients with cancer and cancer pain.

BZ has received personal funding from Grünenthal (2014 to 2016), and Pfizer (2016) in designing and monitoring paediatric investigator plans. BZ is a specialist paediatric pain researcher and clinician and treats patients with cancer pain.

This review was identified in a 2019 audit as not meeting the current definition of the Cochrane Commercial Sponsorship policy. At the time of its publication it was compliant with the interpretation of the existing policy. As with all reviews, new and updated, at update this review will be revised according to 2020 policy update.

Figures

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Study flow diagram.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Update of

  • doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD012564

References

References to studies excluded from this review

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