Management of cancer pain

Primary care clinicians treat patients with cancer and cancer pain. It is essential that physicians know how to effectively manage pain including assessment and pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic treatment modalities. Barriers to adequate assessment of pain must be recognized and overcome. Pharmacologic regimens are based on the World Health Organization's "ladder of analgesia," beginning with nonopioid medications and adding the opioid narcotics and adjuvant medications as necessary. Inclusion of nonpharmacologic treatments, physical and psychological are important for effective management.