- Docente: Marco Cesare Maltoni
- Credits: 1
- SSD: MEDS-09/A
- Language: Italian
- Teaching Mode: In-person learning (entirely or partially)
- Campus: Forli
- Corso: Single cycle degree programme (LMCU) in Medicine and Surgery (cod. 5905)
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from Oct 07, 2026 to Oct 28, 2026
Learning outcomes
The course provides the basic elements for diagnosing pain in oncology in all its forms, whether acute or chronic, across all age groups. The discussion of cancer pain, being an important symptom and its treatment a complex need for cancer patients, will be integrated with the teaching of palliative care. The course offers the tools to recognize the triggers of pain, understand the differential diagnosis, and grasp the principles of treatment. It also provides the basics for effective communication with the patient and family about the pain, the effectiveness of therapy, and the risks and complications of the treatment itself.
Course contents
The course aims to provide students with knowledge about:
- Epidemiology of cancer pain;
- Pathophysiology of cancer pain;
- Methods and tools for evaluation;
- The peculiarities of cancer pain;
- Therapy elements: etiopathogenetic and symptomatic. Pain-relieving drugs and an overview of non-drug treatments. Pain-relieving drugs: opioids. Adjuvant drugs: anticonvulsants, antidepressants, glucocorticoids. NSAIDs, bisphosphonates, radiotherapy, cannabinoids.
- Difficult cancer pain.
Readings/Bibliography
Texts/Bibliography
Lectures and PowerPoint slides
Italian Book Medicine and Palliative Care. Poletto, Milan, 2024
Teaching methods
Interactive lectures
Clinical case discussions
Assessment methods
Multiple-choice quiz within the exam module
Teaching tools
PowerPoint
Example clinical cases
Office hours
See the website of Marco Cesare Maltoni