Hematology and Oncology
Cancer Pain, Management
January 2001
Clinical Focus*
- What are the epidemiological characteristics of cancer-related pain, including pain caused by cancer, by the side effects of cancer treatment, and by procedures used to treat cancer?
- What is the relative efficacy of analgesics currently used for cancer pain?
- Are different analgesic drug formulations and routes of administration associated with different patient preferences or efficacy rates?
- What is the relative analgesic efficacy of palliative pharmacological (chemotherapy, biphosphates, calcitonin) and nonpharmacological cytotoxic or cytostatic (radiation therapy, radionuclide) therapy?
- What is the relative efficacy of currrent adjuvant (nonpharmacological/noninvasive) physical or psychological (relaxation, massage, heat and cold, music, and exercise) treatments in the management of cancer-related pain?
- What is the relative efficacy of current invasive surgical and nonsurgical treatments, such as acupuncture, nerve blocks, and neuroablation, for the treatment of cancer-related pain?
*Addressed in the summary or evidence report.
Management of Cancer Pain
Summary (Publication No. 01-E033, January 2001)
Evidence Report Volume I, Volume II (Publication No. 02-E002, October 2001)
(File Download)
EPC: New England Medical Center
Topic Nominator: American Pain Society
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