First National Congress on Cancer Pain Management

First National Congress on ‘Cancer Pain Management’ was held in MAHAK on September 18-20.

The 3-day conference was held by MAHAK Hospital in cooperation with Iranian Society of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology (ISPHO) promoting knowledge exchange and synergy of medical and paramedical findings, full support for cancer-stricken patients, and assimilation of moral and scientific underpinnings as well as management of pain in cancer patients.

This congress was attended by groups of general practitioners, pediatricians, anesthesiologists, internists, gynecologists, general surgeons, orthopedics, sports medicine specialists, neurosurgeons focusing on international efforts in the field of pain management in the areas of pharmacology, radiation, palliative care, psychiatry, rehabilitation, nursing care and the role of family in this effort.

Day 1

Dr. Mardavig Alebouyeh, specialist in Pediatric Hematology and Oncology and a member of MAHAK Charity’s board of trustees welcomed guests and praised the late professor Parvaneh Vosugh.  Then Dr. Azim Mehrvar, a Hematologist and Pediatric Oncology specialist and head of MAHAK Hospital introduced activities of the hospital and services provided to MAHAK children with cancer and their families.  He also presented an article entitled ’The barriers to pain management in patients’.

In the next session of the congress, Dr. Hassan Otoukesh, kidney and urinary tract specialist and professor in Iran University of Medical Sciences lectured on medical ethics.  He introduced Professor Parvaneh Vosough as a model of medical ethics and talked about history of medical ethics as well as characteristics of an ethical and committed physician.  He also regarded empathy as one of the most important and fundamental traits of a physician.

Dr. Vafa Rahimi Movaghar, a neurosurgeon and professor in Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Dr. Davoud Agha Mohammadi, pain specialist, and Dr. Lida Fadaee Zadeh, anesthesiologist, were other professionals who also provided  presentations in the first day of the congress.

Day 2

Second day of the congress began with a lecture on the role of radiation in controlling cancer related pain by Dr. Mitra Ghalibafan, radiation specialist and head of radiation unit in MAHAK Hospital.

There were also various papers presented with titles such as  ‘Clinical Guidelines for the Pharmacological Management of Cancer Pain,’ ‘Progressive Pain in Cancer”, ‘Radiology Relief for Cancer Pain’, ’Pain and Tumors in the Central Nervous System of Children’ presented by professionals and specialties such as Dr. Arman Taheri, pain specialist, Dr. Farid Gharehdaghi, pain specialist, Dr. Maryam Tashvighi, specialist in pediatric hematology and oncology, Dr. Ensieh Khalili Pouya, radiology assistant, Dr. Mohamed Faranoush, specialist in Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, and Dr. Negar Afsar, radiologist and head of radiology unit of MAHAK Hopsital.  Also Dr. Davoud Agha Mohammadi, assistant professor of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences lectured on neurosis methods of Celiac Network to control abdominal cancer pain.

Dr. Farid Gharehdaghi, pain specialist and head of Pain Management department in MAHAK Hospital and scientific editor of the congress presented a paper entitled ’Application of Adenosine Neuraxial in Neuropathic Pain Induced by Neuro-Electro Dermal Primary Tumors: a Case Study’. Based on this paper, this medication has been used for the first time in epidural application to treat PNET by him.

Day 3: Achievements

On Sep. 20th, Dr. Amir Abbas Hedayati, Oncology and Pediatric Hematology Specialist and head of Stem Cell Transplantation department in MAHAK Hospital lectured on pain syndromes in stem cell transplantation.

Afterwards, Dr. Ali Mohamadian Ardi, pain specialist, explained cancer-related bone pain.  Dr. Farid Gharehdaghi presented a paper entitled ‘Role of Epiduroscopy in Spinal Pain Following Cancer’.  Dr. Mehran Razavi, pain specialist lectured on role of acupuncture for cancer.  Third day of conference on cancer pain management was concluded by a lecture delivered by Dr. Nezafati on nuerolysis method in cancer pains.

MAHAK endeavors to take effective steps in treatment and providing full support for children with cancer by holding scientific congress and sharing its gained knowledge and experiences as a referral center in the Middle East for children’s cancer treatment.  Presence of professionals and experts of related medical fields pertinent to pediatric cancer in such forums will most certainly be helpful for achieving the best treatment methods possible.

We all wish for the day when all patrons, experts, parents and all humanitarian activists celebrate rising quality of life of children with cancer.