Pruritus of cholestasis in patient with advanced neoplasmatic disease.  Case report

Michał Graczyk; Małgorzata Krajnik; Krzysztof Ostrowski

Vol 4, No 1 (2005): Polish Palliative Medicine

Case reports

Published online: 2005-01-19

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Pruritus of cholestasis in patient with advanced neoplasmatic disease. Case report

Michał Graczyk, Małgorzata Krajnik, Krzysztof Ostrowski

Advances in Palliative Medicine 2005;4(1):24-27.

Vol 4, No 1 (2005): Polish Palliative Medicine

Case reports

Published online: 2005-01-19

Abstract

Severe pruritus is frequently seen in cholestasis due to advanced cancer. According to evidence of a role of endogenous opioids and serotonin, the most effective drugs in the treatment of pruritus are opioid and serotonin receptors antagonists. We describe a patient with advanced colon cancer and liver metastases, in whom pruritus didn’t disappear after stenting of the common bile duct. Small dose of paroxetine gradually in several days decreased the intensity of itch significantly enough to promote skin healing.