ReviewNigerian medical journal : journal of the Nigeria Medical Association
Opioids in Cancer Pain Management: A Double-Edged Sword of Relief and Risk.
Review in Nigerian medical journal : journal of the Nigeria Medical Association. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
2 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.
- Cannabinoids and opioid consumption in cancer pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2026Pooled it
- The impact of using dexmedetomidine during surgery on the postoperative survival of cancer patients: a meta-analysis and systematic review of real-world studies.Frontiers in pharmacology · 2026Pooled it
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
19 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Opioids are indispensable for managing cancer-related pain but carry risks such as immunosuppression, increased susceptibility to infections, and potential tumour progression. Balancing effective pain relief with these risks remains a critical challenge. This review examines the dual role of opioids in cancer pain management, highlighting their benefits, risks, and ethical implications while exploring strategies to mitigate adverse effects. Through a comprehensive literature review, we analysed mechanisms of opioid-induced immunosuppression, infection risks, tumour progression, and ethical prescribing practices. Additionally, strategies such as multimodal analgesia, opioid rotation, and personalised medicine were evaluated. Findings indicate that while opioids effectively alleviate cancer pain, they may suppress immune function, elevate infection risks, and potentially promote tumour progression. Mitigation strategies, including multimodal approaches, immunomodulatory interventions, and adherence to ethical principles (beneficence, non-maleficence, autonomy, and justice), are essential for safe opioid use. In conclusion, opioids remain vital for cancer pain management but require judicious application to minimise risks. Future research should prioritise non-opioid alternatives and immunomodulatory therapies to enhance patient outcomes.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.