Opioid use following lung cancer surgery associated with increased risk of death

Lung cancer patients who begin to use opioids following surgery are at increased risk of death from any cause within the next two years, according to new research. While the overall risk of death increased by 40% compared to those not taking opioids, participants taking more potent forms of the drug (such as fentanyl, morphine, oxycodone, hydromorphone and methadone) were 92% more likely to die. The authors of the study, which is published in the journal Regional Anaesthesia & Pain Medicine, say further research will now need to be conducted to confirm the findings. More than 50,000 participants were included