A European Survey of Oncology Nurse Breakthrough Cancer Pain Practices revealed an enormous opportunity to improve pain outcomes through education, with most nurses reporting inadequate training and confusion over medication options. The survey calls for nurse-specific guidelines and training to address the gap in management.
A head-to-head study confirms Instanyl's superiority over oral transmucosal fentanyl citrate (OTFC) in managing breakthrough cancer pain. Instanyl demonstrated significant pain relief at all time points, with patients preferring its ease of administration and faster onset of action.
The first results of the European survey show that breakthrough cancer pain episodes are frequent, short-lived, and intensely painful, with 96% described as moderate to severe. The study suggests that fast-acting pain relief routes like intranasal opioids could be more effective for BTCP, improving patient compliance.