OBJECTIVETo search for a safe and effective method for alleviating cancer pain.

METHODSSixty-six cases of late cancer with pain were first divided into 3 different degrees of pain, mild, moderate and severe, and then the patients with pain of each same degree were randomly divided into an acupuncture group treated by acupuncture at 3-5 of the most severe tender points, and a medication group treated with oral administration according to the WHO Three Step Administration Principle, i.e. the patients with mild pain took aspirin, moderate pain took codeine and severe pain took morphine.

RESULTSBoth two methods could effectively control cancer pain. The total effective rate of 94.1% in the acupuncture group was significantly better than 87.5% in the medication group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe analgesic effect of acupuncture treatment is better than that of the Three Step Administration, with no adverse effect and addiction of analgesics.