Purpose/Objectives: To review strategies to optimize the management of chronic pain in patients with cancer, with an emphasis on the role of opioid analgesics. Data Sources: Published research, articles from a literature review, and U. S. statistics. Data Synthesis: Treatment for cancer pain...

Purpose/Objectives: To describe the factors that contribute to the risk for undertreatment of cancer pain, as well as the risk factors associated with misuse or abuse of opioid analgesics, and to describe approaches to identify and manage the risks. Data Sources: Published research, articles from a...

Purpose/Objectives: To describe the most common side effects associated with the use of opioid treatment in patients with moderate to severe cancer pain; to discuss research findings specific to the use of opioids for cancer pain in long-term cancer survivors. Data Sources: Published research,...

This article reviews the National Comprehensive Cancer Network's (NCCN's) guidelines for cancer-related fatigue (CRF) assessment and discusses many of the common barriers that hinder the translation of the CRF guidelines into practice settings. Current assessment and measurement scales validated in...

Fatigue is a highly distressing symptom of cancer associated with significant psychological morbidity and reduced quality of life. Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) has been underreported, underdiagnosed, and undertreated. Fatigue and depression may coexist in patients with cancer, and considerable...

Guidelines for the management of cancer-related fatigue (CRF) emphasize evidence-based strategies for reducing this common symptom in patients with cancer. Exercise has the largest body of data supporting its benefits in reducing CRF. Patient education and counseling also are considered integral to...

Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is influenced and modulated by a number of critical factors, and the mechanism that is both necessary and sufficient to induce development of severe fatigue in patients with cancer has not yet been identified. Specific research efforts to understand the factors that may...