Table 1 Clinical characteristics of 37 patients with refractory cancer pain (number)

Cancer stage

number

   III stage

2

   IV stage

35

Primary cancer

   gastric (cardia)

5

   oesophageal

1

   rectal

1

   lung

18

   breast

3

   prostate

3

   the primary site not clear

6

Pain reason

   bone metastasis

33 (including one incomplete ileus)

   pleura invasion

2

   ileus

2

Pain intensity

   moderate

26

   severe

11