Assessment and management of pain in palliative care patients.

BACKGROUND Pain affects more than 70% of cancer patients but is often undertreated. METHODS The authors review and present methodologies to maximize proper palliative approaches to this symptom for the majority of patients. RESULTS The World Health Organization's stepwise guide to pain control serves as an excellent basis for management. Around-the-clock dosing, using adjuvant treatments, and using noninvasive routes of administration provide good pain control for 80% of patients. CONCLUSIONS Barriers to effective pain control will be reduced as new JCAHO standards regarding pain control are implemented.