Overview of Adult Outpatient Cancer Pain Management

Cancer pain is one of the most difficult supportive care issues to manage, as it is subjective. Many physicians struggle with outpatient management of cancer pain in adults, and pharmacists can play a key role in recommending agents, titration, and conversions. Another area in which pharmacists are essential is managing adverse effects associated with pain medications. An important aspect of pain management is breakthrough cancer pain, which is also an area for improvement. Studies have shown that appropriate management of pain in oncology patients can significantly increase quality of life and eventually overall survival.