Cancer Pain Management: Comprehensive Assessment and Nonopioid Analgesics, Part 1

Pain is still undertreated and thus a significant problem for at least half of all cancer patients. Inadequately managed cancer pain may cause significant morbidity and even affect mortality, as well as patient quality of life. One enduring problem is suboptimal pain education in basic and advanced educational programs, and many myths and knowledge gaps persist. This article focuses on identifying and dispelling myths, thorough baseline and ongoing pain assessment, pain documentation, and interprofessional collaboration. It includes a comprehensive review of appropriate use of nonopioid analgesics—nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents and acetaminophen, and so-called adjuvant analgesics, such as antidepressants, anticonvulsants, and other drugs.