Perioperative Pain Management in Patients With Cancer-Related Pain: A Narrative Review

Anesth Analg. 2025 Apr 1;140(4):833-845. doi: 10.1213/ANE.0000000000007399. Epub 2025 Jan 30.

Abstract

The number of cancer patients, cancer survivors, and cancer surgeries is expected to continue to grow and anesthesiologists will benefit from having a framework on how to approach treating perioperative pain in the oncologic population. This article presents general considerations for formulating a perioperative pain management plan including cancer-specific contraindications for epidurals and nerve blocks, common procedures for pain after thoracic and abdominal surgeries, and alternative pain management techniques.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Cancer Pain* / diagnosis
  • Cancer Pain* / therapy
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms* / complications
  • Neoplasms* / surgery
  • Nerve Block / methods
  • Pain Management* / methods
  • Pain Measurement
  • Perioperative Care* / methods
  • Postoperative Pain* / diagnosis
  • Postoperative Pain* / etiology
  • Postoperative Pain* / prevention & control
  • Postoperative Pain* / therapy