Management of chronic pain in cancer survivors.
Chronic pain is a frequent complication of cancer and its treatments and is often underreported, underdiagnosed, and undertreated. Pain in cancer survivors is caused by residual tissue damage from the cancer and/or the cancer therapy. This pain can be divided into 3 pathophysiologic categories: somatic, visceral, and neuropathic. The most common treatment-induced chronic pain syndromes are neuropathies secondary to surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Comfort and function are optimized in cancer survivors by a multidisciplinary approach using an individually tailored combination of opioids, coanalgesics, physical therapy, interventional procedures, psychosocial interventions, and complementary and alternative modalities. Management of chronic pain must be integrated into comprehensive cancer care so that cancer patients can fully enjoy their survival.
Levy
Michael H
MH
Pain and Palliative Care Program, Department of Medical Oncology, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA 19111, USA. mh_levy@fccc.edu
Chwistek
Marcin
M
Mehta
Rohtesh S
RS
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy*; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology*; D059408:Pain Management; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000150:complications; D010166:Palliative Care; D011788:Quality of Life; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative; D017741:Survivors
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents