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- Mehmet Emin Kalender, Gazi Comez, Alper Sevinc, Ahmet Dirier, and Celalettin Camci.
- Department of Medical Oncology, Gaziantep University, Gaziantep, Turkey.
- Pain Med. 2010 Mar 1;11(3):443-5.
ObjectiveMost patients with advanced stage cancer report moderate to severe pain. The leech (Hirudo medicinalis) is commonly used in traditional medicine for relief of localized pain.DesignWe report a case of severe pain related to advanced stage cancer successfully treated by self-applied leeches.Setting And PatientsA 62-year-old male patient with synchronous renal cell carcinoma and leiomyosarcoma was admitted with severe pain in the lumbar region. The pain was refractory to radiotherapy, and systemic and epidural analgesic infusion.ResultsTwo months the patient came to the clinic in good condition free of pain. The patient reported outpatient self-treatment with seven leeches to the lumbar region in the interim that resulted in complete healing of pain.ConclusionsThis is the first report indicating possible activity of leeches in cancer pain.
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