[Pain therapy in tumor patients]

The incidence of pain associated with advanced cancer is very high. In addition, most patients are also suffering from emotional and social problems. In the choice of pain treatment the different processes of nociception have to be considered. Thus non-narcotic analgesics and psychotropic agents may be combined to reduce opiate requirements. Oral medication is to be preferred and should be given on a strict schedule. Pain syndromes irresponsive to this pharmacological treatment are indications for neurosurgical procedures, epidural opiates and neurolytic nerve blocks.