[Continuous Subcutaneous Injection Therapy in End-of-Life Symptoms of Cancer and Non-Cancer Patients].

The significance of continuous subcutaneous injection(CSI)therapy was assessed in end-of-life symptoms of cancer and non-cancer home hospice patients. In a retrospective analysis of 106 advanced cancer patients who underwent opioid CSI therapy, the most frequent symptom was pain(65%), followed by dyspnea(46%), seizure(8%), ileus(8%), and other uncontrolled end-of-life symptoms(23%). The median oral morphine equivalent daily opioid dose was 90 mg(2.5-1,920 mg)and the median duration of CSI administration was 3 days(1-350 days). Eighty-six percent of the patients underwent adjunct therapy to opioids, such as midazolam, octreotide, and haloperidol, in the management of cancer pain and non-pain cancer symptoms. In 5 non-cancer patients with systemic vascular disease, various symptoms required opioid CSI in the endof- life days. CSI with adjunct therapy to opioids can be effective in the treatment of end-of-life symptoms in both cancer and non-cancer patients.