Medical management of chronic cancer pain

Management of the chronic pain of cancer is a common and difficult problem. In addition to a medical examination of the patient, it is necessary to perform a psychological assessment of his premorbid personality, current mental status, and coping mechanisms to devise an individualized approach to his pain. The mainstay of cancer pain control are the narcotics, which differ primarily in potency and duration of action. Nonnarcotic analgesics are equianalgesic with the less potent narcotics. Antipsychotic drugs are useful as tranquilizers, antiemetics, and analgesic potentiators. Antidepressants and hypnotics permit the patient a more normal life-style. Stimulants such as cocaine and amphetamines both potentiate narcotic analgesia and reduce narcotic-induced somnolence and respiratory depression. Tetrahydrocannabinol offers no advantage over traditional analgesics. With care and patience, the physician can render practically any cancer patient pain-free. (JAMA241:2408-2412, 1979)