Pain management in palliative care. Reviewing the issues.
BACKGROUND
Cancer pain remains significantly undertreated despite being one of the most prevalent and feared symptoms associated with cancer. Approximately 90% of patients can have their cancer pain controlled through relatively simple measures.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this review is to facilitate the current optimal approach to the assessment and management of cancer pain within the context of the multidimensional nature of the pain experience.


CONCLUSIONS
Each component of the pain experience is addressed using a four point approach to pain and involves pharmacological and nonpharmacological measures. The general practitioner's role is pivotal in optimal cancer pain management. This is the first of two articles by Kiran Virik and Paul Clare on pain management in palliative care. The second, outlining treatment options, will appear in the December issue of Australian Family Physician.
Virik
K
K
Department of Palliative Care, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Missenden Road, Camperdown, NSW 2050. kiran@pal.cs.nsw.gov.au
Glare
P
P
D000700:Analgesics / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000556:secondary*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000150:complications / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D010148:Intractable Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000379:methods*; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000379:methods; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery
D000700:Analgesics