Pain in children with central nervous system cancer: a review of the literature.
OBJECTIVE
To explore the current state of the science regarding pain in children with cancer, with special attention to literature related to central nervous system (CNS) tumors. This review used the Human Response to Illness (HRTI) model as an organizing framework.


METHODS
PubMed, CINAHL, and Scopus data-bases.


RESULTS
The literature review is presented with the four components of the HRTI model, including the physiologic, pathophysiologic, experiential, and behavioral perspectives of the pain response related to childhood cancer and childhood CNS cancer. The person and environmental factors that may influence a child's pain response are described.


CONCLUSIONS
Children with cancer, including CNS cancer, continue to experience pain despite the improvements in knowledge related to pain. Pain assessment and management strategies must continue to evolve and improve for nursing professionals to provide a high level of care to this patient population. The HRTI model provides an appropriate framework to gain insight into the pediatric oncology nursing role in the assessment, management, and evaluation of pain from childhood cancers.


CONCLUSIONS
Nurses play a vital role in pain assessment and management for children with cancer. The HRTI model can be used to identify areas of clinical practice, education, and research that require further improvements in relation to pain in children with CNS cancer.
Shepherd
Erin
E
University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada.
Woodgate
Roberta L
RL
Sawatzky
Jo-Ann
JA
D016543:Central Nervous System Neoplasms / Q000451:nursing / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D009859:Oncology Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D010146:Pain / Q000451:nursing / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D010371:Pediatric Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D002666:Psychology, Child