title: Controlling cancer pain with pharmacotherapy.
abstract: Cancer remains the second most common cause of death in the United States despite advances in prevention, early detection, and newer treatment protocols. Pain continues to be the most feared complication of this diagnosis. Numerous studies have shown that when the World Health Organization treatment guidelines are followed, 90% of patients are pain-free. Although clinical evidence is convincing that opioids are effective in treating patients for cancer pain, physician reluctance to prescribe them and patient unwillingness to take such medication continue. Barriers to opioid use are multifactorial, but with education of healthcare providers and patients, pharmacotherapy for pain management will be more effective.
authors.affiliation: Professional Pain Management Associates, Suite 308, 829 Spruce St, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA. gregory.pharo@ppmapc.com
authors.forename: Gregory H
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Pharo
authors.forename: Linqiu
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhou
mesh_terms: D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000187:drug effects; D010148:Intractable Pain / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000379:methods; D011788:Quality of Life; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics; D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D000928:Antidepressive Agents