Effect of parenteral morphine on overall survival in patients with lung cancer

Aim: Terminal-stage cancer patients often receive parenteral morphine treatment (PMT) to relieve various symptoms associated with the progression or adverse events associated with cancer. Our study was aimed at a retrospective evaluation of the survival of patients with terminal-stage lung cancer who received inpatient PMT due to pain and dyspnea palliation. Material and Methods: We carried out a retrospective analysis of 52 terminal-stage lung cancer patients who received PMT at our hospital. The patients were divided into three groups according to the indications for PMT: Group A (uncontrolled dyspnea; n = 23), Group B (pain; n = 22), Group C (both shortness of breath and pain; n = 7). Results: Of the total, 23 (44.2%) received morphine for dyspnea, 22 (42.3%) for pain and seven (13.5%) for both. A good subjective response ("no symptoms" or "mild symptom") was documented in 46 patients (88.4%), poor response in four patients (7.4%) and no response in two patients (3.8%). The median survival time from the onset of PMT was 85 days (range 54-117 days). The study found dyspnea and pain to be indications for PMT in terminal-stage lung cancer patients, with dyspnea being the main indication for PMT. Patients in Group A (shortness of breath) required lower doses of morphine than in Group B (uncontrolled pain), although the survival time from the onset of PMT was significantly shorter in patients with dyspnea (Group A) than in patients without dyspnea (Group B). Discussion: Further studies are required to facilitate the effective and appropriate use of PMT in terminal-stage lung cancer patients. Dyspnea was the major indication for PMT in terminal-stage lung cancer patients, and the survival time was considerably limited in this group.