Children's cancer pain in a world of the opioid epidemic: Challenges and opportunities

Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2020 Apr;67(4):e28124. doi: 10.1002/pbc.28124. Epub 2019 Dec 18.

Abstract

The opioid crisis in the United States has grown at an alarming rate. Children with cancer are at high risk for pain, and opioids are a first-line treatment in this population. Accordingly, there is an urgent need to optimize pain management in children with cancer without contributing to the opioid crisis. This report details opportunities for this optimization, including clinical practice guidelines, comprehensive approaches to pain management, mobile health, and telemedicine. It is vital to balance appropriate use of analgesics with efforts to prevent misuse in order to reduce unnecessary suffering and minimize unintended harms.

Keywords: opioid epidemic; pain; pain guidelines; pain management; pediatric oncology.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Cancer Pain / drug therapy*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Humans
  • Opioid Epidemic*
  • Opioid-Related Disorders / prevention & control*
  • Pain Management* / methods
  • Pain Management* / standards
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic