The Challenges of Relieving Cancer Pain: A Literature Review

The management of pain has long challenged both oncologists and physicians in general. Pain relief is widely regarded as a priority of oncological care, not only due to its ongoing frequency but also to the detriment it causes to patients’ quality of life and the tendency towards under--‐treatment of cancer pain, especially in the palliative seOng. 30%–85% of cancer patients experiencing pain during the course of the illness, with up to 78% experiencing severe pain.