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Dennis Clohisy (Minneapolis, USA)

An individual-based approach to the management of bone pain

Topics to be covered

Bone cancer pain is a devastating and common clinical problem. Many of the most common cancers metastasize to bone. These include cancers of the breast, prostate, lung and kidney. Management of this often end of life condition is largely empirical. Traditional medical management often involves high dose narcotics and is associated with unwanted side effects. Recent translational research using animal models of bone cancer pain have advanced understanding of the pathophysiology of this condition. Several recent laboratory discoveries provide direction for treating bone cancer pain. New laboratory findings will be reviewed and will be placed within the context of multi modal therapy. Such therapy can include skeletal surgical stabilization, radiation therapy, anti inflammatory agents, bisphosphonates, and methods of regional pain control.

Educational goals

After attending this Meet the Professor session, participants will be expected to:

• understand the pathophysiology of bone cancer pain;
• be familiar with the mechanism and results of different therapies;
• understand the indication for surgical stabilization, radiation, regional pain control and medical therapies;
• be familiar with emerging therapies;
• Understand the potential benefit and action of multi modal treatment.

Target audience

Physicians, Oncologists, Orthopaedic Surgeons, translational scientists, nurses and allied health care professionals involved in the evaluation and management of patients with metastatic bone cancer.

Teaching methods

This session will be an interactive case-based discussion, with handouts and visual presentations depicting imaging studies and case histories. Presentation and discussion of cases from the audience are welcome.