Differential diagnosis of pain in cancer patients

The differential diagnosis of pain in cancer patients and in patients in whom cancer is suspected can be best attained using a technique of anamnesis that 1. Follows the associations of the patient 2. Accepts biological, psychological, and social factors without prejudice 3. Comprehends the symptom "pain" in its seven dimensions. The list of possible pains includes pain of neoplastic origin, pain due to cancer therapy, somatic pain of nonneoplastic origin, cancer pain increased by psychic factors, and psychogenic pain. The last category includes pain due to conversion and pain as an accompanying sign of the "flight-fight" reaction.