Management of cancer pain

Pain is often the first symptom of cancer. Pain and fear of pain are concerns of most cancer patients and their families. The therapeutic options available to control pain are numerous, allowing practitioners to better individualize treatment. We present an overview of the pathophysiology of cancer pain, the current theories of pharmacologic opioid management, advantages of adjuvant drugs, and the range of invasive and noninvasive procedures that practitioners can offer their patients who have cancer-related pain.