Mirabile, A., Airoldi, M., Ripamonti, C., Bolner, A., Murphy, B., Russi, E., . . . Bossi, P. (2016). Pain management in head and neck cancer patients undergoing chemo-radiotherapy: Clinical practical recommendations. Critical Reviews in Oncology/Hematology, 99, 100–106.
RESOURCE TYPE: Evidence-based guideline
No quality rating of evidence used is discussed, and numerous consensus statements are not supported by evidence or any references.
This guideline is a mix of consensus-based and evidence-based recommendations. Nurses should be aware of the need for patients to continue trying to swallow to avoid disuse muscle atrophy and fibrosis from treatment. This guideline suggests that pain on swallowing be managed as breakthrough pain, and that transmucosal opioids would be an appropriate approach for management.