Abstract: ObjectiveTo observe the effect of oral prednisone to relieve paclitaxel-induced arthralgia and myalgia in patients with ovarian cancer.Methods6 courses of paclitaxel chemotherapy were applied to 54 patients with ovarian cancer, aged 56—72 years, mean age (60.45±4.8) years. In the first 3 courses the patients used analgesics only. For the following 3 courses, oral prednisone was used to relieve their pain and by this time patients continued to use analgesics, if needed. Pain frequency, analgesic usage, pain severity, and limitation of mobilization were evaluated.ResultsSignificant decrease in pain frequency, analgesic usage, and pain severity were observed in the last 3 courses during which oral prednisone was given(P<0.001), as well as mobilization improved(P<0.05).ConclusionsPrednisone can decrease discomfort symptoms and analgesic usage following treatment with paclitaxel.

Key words: paclitaxel, arthralgia, myalgia, prednisone