O uso da cannabis medicinal para manejo da dor oncológica: revisão de escopo

Abstract

Introduction: Pain, one of the symptoms related to cancer, may be related to the tumor itself or to the treatment. Pain management involves pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapy. Regarding complementary methods, the use of Cannabis stands out, which has been used to control cancer-related pain. Because it is a subject that still involves many taboos and few publications that map the studies produced, this study sought to map the publications developed with the use of medicinal Cannabis for the management of cancer pain. Objective: To present the results of studies on the medicinal use of Cannabis to control cancer pain. Method: Scope review, guided by the rules of the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI), in six databases and search in the Catalog of Theses and Dissertations of the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES), in the last five years. Results and Discussion: Six studies were included, most published in the year 2022, carried out in the United States, and all in English. The main form of Cannabis found was the oil extracted from the plant and the main adverse effects were dry mouth, drowsiness and euphoria. There are few studies on the use of medical Cannabis to treat pain in the oncological setting, where many have not specified the dosage of the product, the route of administration and the failure to report an instrument to verify the effectiveness of Cannabis in the face of the pain symptom. Conclusions: Despite the increase in research in the area and the positive effects demonstrated in some studies, the quality of the evaluated evidence does not support a recommendation for the use of medicinal Cannabis, but the nursing professional must be aware of emerging studies on this phytotherapy to develop knowledge and skills to advise cancer patients who wish to use it.