title: Trends in cancer pain management.
abstract: Pain is a prevalent symptom in cancer patients, affecting up to 50% of patients undergoing active cancer treatment and up to 90% of those with advanced disease. Although adequate relief can be achieved in the majority of cancer patients, pain is often treated inadequately in traditional settings and sometimes even under the management of more specialised units. In this review the authors use their experience and that of others to review the evaluation and diagnosis of pain syndromes and the principles of management. This is in keeping with increasing recognition by bodies such as the World Health Organisation and other governmental agencies who have recognised the importance of pain management as part of routine cancer care. Conducting a comprehensive assessment, competently providing analgesic drugs, and communicating with the patient and family allow effective management of pain in the cancer patient.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Parirenyatwa Hospital, University of Zimbabwe, Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, P O Box A178, Avondale, Harare, Zimbabwe.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bhagat
authors.forename: H M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Chinyanga
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000698:Analgesia / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends*; D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003142:Communication; D018450:Disease Progression; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D010146:Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D059408:Pain Management; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D010348:Patient Care Team; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D015995:Prevalence; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D011788:Quality of Life
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics