Authors
Lucy Hetherington, Lesley Somerville, Pete Paisley
Published in
Current opinion in supportive and palliative care. Oct 15, 2026. Epub Oct 15, 2026.
Abstract
Cancer-related pain remains one of the most common and distressing symptoms experienced by people with cancer. Increasing cancer prevalence, longer survival, and greater symptom complexity have highlighted the limitations of traditional, fragmented approaches to cancer pain management. This review examines contemporary models of integrated palliative medicine and pain management services, with particular emphasis on interdisciplinary care pathways and interventional pain techniques.
Recent literature supports the earlier integration of palliative medicine within oncology services and closer collaboration between palliative medicine and pain medicine within a multidisciplinary service. Integrated service models are associated with improved symptom control, quality of life, and patient satisfaction. Interventional procedures, including intrathecal drug delivery and cordotomy, are increasingly recommended within comprehensive cancer pain pathways for patients with refractory pain. Evidence emphasises coordinated multidisciplinary assessment and timely referral rather than escalation of pharmacological therapies alone.
Integrated palliative medicine and pain management services represent an increasingly important model for addressing the multidimensional nature of cancer-related pain. Future research should focus on optimal service configuration, referral criteria, outcome measurement, and equitable access to specialist interventional expertise. Development of an interventional cancer pain registry would further strengthen data collection and models of best practice.
PMID:
42888910
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 17 Oct 2026.
Read full publication at:
Please sign in
to see all details.
Advertisement
Stats
- Recommendations n/a n/a positive of 0 vote(s)
- Views 16
- Comments 0