Cancer pain.

An accurate assessment and where possible a precise diagnosis of the underlying mechanism in necessary for the effective management of pain in cancer. The majority of patients respond to oral analgesics, and the range of drugs required is not vast. Adjuvant analgesic drugs will be needed for the treatment of bone pain, visceral pain and neuropathic pain. For the remaining patients who present with difficult and occasionally intractable pain, a multidisciplinary approach using drug and non-drug measures will usually allow significant relief of symptoms.