Long-term ketamine subcutaneous continuous infusion in neuropathic cancer pain

Abstract

Neuropathic cancer pain may be less responsive to opioids than other pain. Several studies suggest that N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-receptor antagonists could play a role in the treatment of neuropathic pain. Ketamine is an NMDA-receptor antagonist that is used as an anesthetic and has been suggested as a useful drug for neuropathic pain. Subanesthetic doses of ketamine can yield analgesia without hypnosis. We describe a patient who developed neuropathic cancer pain unresponsive to opioid escalation and spinal administration of a combination of bupivacaine-morphine and was subsequently treated by subcutaneous continuous ketamine infusion. A starting dose of 150 mg/day provided good pain relief and a dramatic reduction of the oral morphine dose (from 5 g to 200 mg). A slow and progressive increase of ketamine and morphine dosage (400 mg and 200 mg by the subcutaneous route, respectively) continued to provide adequate pain relief after 13 months of therapy despite signs of progressive disease.