ABSTRACT
Pain is one of the most common and feared symptoms associated with cancer. Approximately 20% to 50% of patients with cancer are first seen with pain, 33% have pain during the treatment of their disease, and 75% to 90% in the advanced stages of their disease experience moderate to severe pain requiring treatment with opioids (1-5). Unrelieved pain has a substantial effect on patients’ activities, affect, motivation, interactions with family and friends, and overall quality of life.
