Table 3.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Intrathecal Trialing in Cancer Pain

Disadvantages of Intrathecal Trialing	Advantages of Intrathecal Trialing
● Delays definitive therapy in a population with limited life expectancy ● Many cancer patients are on anticoagulation; trialing requires an additional discontinuation of anticoagulation therapy and increased risk of thromboembolic events. ● Additional risk of trial ● Additional cost ● Inpatient trials are laborious	● Payor authorization ● Assessment of efficacy in the reluctant patient ● Assess for tolerability