Current management of cancer pain in Italy: Expert opinion paper

Abstract

Chronic pain and breakthrough cancer pain (BTcP) have a high prevalence in all cancer types and cancer stages, combined with a significant physical, psychological, and economic burden. Despite efforts to improve appropriate management of cancer pain, a poor assessment and guilty undertreatment are still reported in many countries. The purpose of this expert opinion paper is to contribute to reduce and clarify these issues with a multidisciplinary perspective in order to share virtuous paths of care.

Keywords

• cancer pain
• breakthrough cancer pain
• multidisciplinary team
• rapid-onset opioids
• fentanyl