Pruritus in Advanced Disease

Pruritus is a prevalent symptom in many skin conditions. However, muchless is known about pruritus without primary skin disease. This problem affectsmost medical specialties, notably palliative care, haematology, oncology,internal medicine, hepatology, nephrology, anaesthesiology, immunology andpsychiatry. Specialists from these disciplines each see few patients with severepruritus and therefore have only limited possibility to learn from theirexperience. In response, this book aims to build a bridge of knowledge andevidence between the various different specialties.Pruritus can cause extreme discomfort in chronic cancer patients or in peoplewho are receiving cancer treatment, as well as patients with non-malignantterminal illnesses. Knowledge about the pathophysiology of pruritus is scatteredthrough many clinical specialties and this book brings this information togetherin a readily accessible compendium of knowledge which will be of value tophysicians of any specialty. An international group of contributors cover theneurophysiology, clinical assessment, and measurement of scratching activity aswell as opioid-induced pruritus, pruritus in haematological disorders,neuropathic pruritus, psychogenic pruritus and therapies and treatment.Aimed primarily at palliative care physicians, oncologists and nurses, the bookwill also prove valuable to all health care professionals who require guidelinesto assist with effective symptom control thereby ensuring best quality of lifefor their patients.ALSO PUBLISHED BY OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESSCare of the dying - a pathway to excellenceEdited by John Ellershaw and Susie Wilkinson