Management of Chronic Pain in Cancer Survivors

Healthcare providers for hospice and palliative care patients are often caring for patients with chronic pain. Cancer survivors live longer and both cancer-related and noncancer chronic pain become prevalent. It is estimated that the prevalence of chronic pain among cancer survivors is 20-40%. There are many etiologies of chronic pain among cancer survivors, and these patients are not exempt from adverse opioid effects such as misuse and addiction. This session will review the causes of chronic pain among cancer survivors, discuss how to diagnose and assess chronic pain among these patients, and review the role of long-term opioid therapy for treatment. Particular attention will be given to management of chronic pain including assessment of opioid misuse and noncompliance with long-term opioid therapy. Current guidelines for the use of chronic opioid therapy among these patients will be reviewed and presented with many real patient examples.