Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 3, 2026
07:14
A Quantitative Sensory Testing Paradigm to Obtain Measures of Pain Processing in Patients Undergoing Breast Cancer Surgery
Published on: January 18, 2018
Evidence-based standards for cancer pain management
Sydney M Dy1, Steven M Asch, Arash Naeim
1Health Policy and Management, Oncology, and Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA. sdy@jhsph.edu
Summary
High-quality cancer pain management requires evidence-based standards for screening, assessment, treatment, and follow-up. These guidelines cover general cancer pain and specific syndromes like metastatic bone pain and spinal cord compression.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pain Management
- Evidence-Based Medicine
Background:
- Effective cancer pain management is crucial for patient quality of life.
- Existing practices require standardized, evidence-based approaches for consistency.
- General cancer pain and specific syndromes necessitate tailored management strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and present evidence-based standards for cancer pain management.
- To establish a framework for screening, assessment, treatment, and follow-up.
- To address both general cancer pain and specific pain syndromes.
Main Methods:
- Iterative development of standards through structured literature review.
- Refinement of topic areas and recommendations by a multidisciplinary expert panel.
- Evidence-based guideline creation.
Main Results:
- Routine screening for pain presence, absence, and intensity is recommended.
- Descriptive pain assessment, including etiology and functional impairment, is advised for positive screens.
- Key treatment recommendations include pain education, breakthrough opioid management, bowel regimens, and continuity of care.
- Specific guidelines for metastatic bone pain (radiotherapy) and suspected spinal cord compression (corticosteroids, urgent imaging, and treatment within 24 hours) were established.
- Follow-up after treatment is emphasized for all patients.
Conclusions:
- The developed standards provide a framework for high-quality, evidence-based cancer pain management.
- Implementation of these standards can improve patient outcomes and care consistency.
- These guidelines address general cancer pain and specific syndromes, promoting comprehensive care.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Analgesia and Pain Management
Pain is critical to various clinical pathologies, provoking an urgent need for effective management. Pain, whether acute or chronic, is a complex neurochemical process. Its alleviation depends on the type, with nonopioid analgesics effective for mild to moderate pain, such as musculoskeletal or inflammatory pain, while neuropathic pain responds best to anticonvulsants, tricyclic antidepressants, or serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. For severe acute or chronic pain, opioids may be...
01:21Cancer Survival Analysis
Cancer survival analysis focuses on quantifying and interpreting the time from a key starting point, such as diagnosis or the initiation of treatment, to a specific endpoint, such as remission or death. This analysis provides critical insights into treatment effectiveness and factors that influence patient outcomes, helping to shape clinical decisions and guide prognostic evaluations. A cornerstone of oncology research, survival analysis tackles the challenges of skewed, non-normally...
01:19Standards of Care II
Nurses bear specific legal responsibilities under several federal statutes, including:
01:22Standards of Care I
Federal statutes profoundly impact nursing practice, providing critical guidelines to ensure patient care is equitable, accessible, and of the highest quality. The following laws address distinct aspects of healthcare provision and patient rights:
01:21Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Cannabinoids
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is a phytocannabinoid that primarily interacts with the CB1 receptor, a type of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) predominantly in and around the chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ) and emetic center. THC also blocks the serotonin receptor activity in the dorsal vagal complex (DVC) by inhibiting serotonin release. THC exerts its anti-emetic effects through these interactions, which are beneficial for patients undergoing chemotherapy.
Two synthetic agonists of THC,...
Two synthetic agonists of THC,...
01:14SBAR II: Application of SBAR
SBAR is an effective communication tool used by healthcare professionals to communicate patient information accurately. SBAR stands for Situation, Background, Assessment, and Recommendation. For a better understanding, an example is given below.
SBAR Report from a Nurse to a Health Care Provider
S: "Hello, Dr. Smith. This is Jane, RN, from the Med Surg unit. I am calling to tell you about Ms. White in Room 210, who is experiencing increased pain and redness at her incision site. Her recent...
SBAR Report from a Nurse to a Health Care Provider
S: "Hello, Dr. Smith. This is Jane, RN, from the Med Surg unit. I am calling to tell you about Ms. White in Room 210, who is experiencing increased pain and redness at her incision site. Her recent...