ANESTHETIC THERAPIES FOR PAIN CONTROL IN ONCOLOGY PALLIATIVE CARE: EVIDENCE AND CHALLENGES

Abstract

Cancer pain poses a significant challenge in palliative care, directly impacting patients' quality of life. Anesthetic therapies are emerging as complementary or alternative strategies to conventional pharmacological management, offering effective analgesia in cases of refractory pain. This narrative review analyzed the available evidence on the use of nerve blocks, neuraxial analgesia, and minimally invasive interventional procedures in cancer patients undergoing palliative care, highlighting the clinical benefits, limitations, and challenges in the practical application of these techniques. The findings indicate that, when integrated into multidisciplinary teams and individualized according to the patient's profile, anesthetic interventions provide pain reduction, reduced opioid dependence, and improved quality of life, although gaps remain regarding standardized protocols and equitable access. It is concluded that the advancement of anesthetic therapies depends on professional training, the development of evidence-based guidelines, and future research that evaluates safety, prolonged efficacy, and impact on clinical outcomes.