Patient-controlled analgesia with hydromorphone treatment for advanced colon cancer with severe pain in an older adult patient: a case report and literature review

Background: Unrelieved cancer pain can seriously reduce patients' quality of life. Hydromorphone based patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) is widely used in surgery. In recent years, it has also gained attention in the field of cancer pain. We report the case of an older patient with refractory pain secondary to colorectal cancer for whom PCA therapy led to improved symptomatic outcomes.

Case description: We present the case of a 79-year-old male with severe pain from advanced colon cancer. After receiving anti-cancer therapy for 7 years, the patient developed pain in the right groin with a pain score of 7/10. The results of whole-body bone imaging suggested the underlying cause to be a pelvic osseous metastasis. Contemporaneous computed tomography (CT) scanning confirmed disease progression in previously noted non-osseous sites of disease. Systemic therapy with bevacizumab, oxaliplatin, and raltitrexed was commenced. For pain palliation, the patient was treated with morphine hydrochloride tablets, morphine hydrochloride injections, compound codeine phosphate and ibuprofen sustained release tablets, incadronate disodium for injection, and oxycodone hydrochloride sustained-release tablets; despite this, his pain remained poorly controlled. The patient was admitted to hospital with a pain score of 8/10. Other symptoms at presentation included fatigue, anorexia, distress and insomnia. A hydromorphone PCA was initiated, which led to a rapid improvement in the patient's pain. The patient died peacefully 17 days later; his family was highly satisfied.

Conclusions: Older patients with cancer experience pain in myriad ways. Patients with advanced cancer pain should receive safe, rapid, and effective pain relief. Hydromorphone-based PCA therapies may provide a valuable therapeutic option for individuals with malignant pain.