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Assessment and management of breakthrough pain in cancer patients: Current approaches and emerging research

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Abstract

Cancer pain is highly prevalent and often severe. Fortunately, most cancer pain can be readily managed, with up to 90% of patients responding well to standard interventions. However, breakthrough cancer pain—brief flares of severe pain superimposed on baseline pain—is common, difficult to manage, and often negatively impacts patients’ quality of life. Breakthrough cancer pain is traditionally managed with oral, immediaterelease opioids. However, because of its sudden onset and severity, oral opioids often fall short of providing adequate control. Research into novel approaches to pain management has identified several innovative strategies for this difficult cancer pain problem. We describe current approaches to assess, define, characterize, and treat breakthrough cancer pain, and summarize recent clinical research on novel agents, novel routes of drug delivery, and other advances in its management.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Tom Baker Cancer Centre, Alberta Cancer Board, Calgary, Canada

    Neil A. Hagen

  2. Division of Palliative Medicine, University of Calgary, 1331 29th Street NW, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4N2, Canada

    Neil A. Hagen

Authors
  1. Neil A. Hagen
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  2. Patricia Biondo
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  3. Carla Stiles
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Correspondence to Neil A. Hagen.

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Hagen, N.A., Biondo, P. & Stiles, C. Assessment and management of breakthrough pain in cancer patients: Current approaches and emerging research. Current Science Inc 12, 241–248 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-008-0042-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-008-0042-1

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