A Narrative Review of Ketamine in Cancer Related Pain: Reviewing Clinical Evidence

Friday, November 14, 2025

4:02 PM - 4:10 PM CT

Location: Griffin Hall - Screen 03

Introduction:

Chronic cancer pain impairs quality of life and is generally refractory to opioid treatment. Ketamine, an NMDA receptor antagonist with analgesic action, can be used as an adjuvant in opioid-refractory pain. This narrative review integrates evidence (2018–2025) to answer the increased role of ketamine in treating chronic cancer pain.

Submitting Author(s)

AB

Ahmed Basharat, MD

Emergency Medicine Resident Physician
Yale New Haven Hospital/Yale Medical School, United States

Co-Author(s)

MJ

Mohamad Jabin, MD

Resident Physician
University of Texas Medical Branch, United States
OH

Omar Hamza, MD

Resident Physician
Harvard Medical School/Cambridge Health Alliance
Somerville, Massachusetts, United States