Table 2.

Recommendations for the management of cancer-related breakthrough pain. Copyright © 2009. Adapted with permission from Davies AN, Dickman A, Reid C, Stevens AM, Zeppetella G. The management of cancer-related breakthrough pain: Recommendations of a Task Group of the Science Committee of the Association for Palliative Medicine of Great Britain and Ireland. Eur J Pain. 2009;13:331–338

Patients with pain should be assessed for the presence of BTCP Patients with BTCP should have the pain specifically assessed The management of breakthrough cancer pain should be individualized Consideration should be given to treatment of underlying cause of the pain Consideration should be given to avoidance/treatment of precipitating factors of pain Consideration should be given to modification of the background analgesic regimen/around the clock medication Opioids are the rescue medication of choice in the management of breakthrough cancer pain episodes The dose of opioid rescue medication should be determined by individual titration Nonpharmacologic methods may be useful in the management of breakthrough cancer pain episodes Nonopioid analgesics may be useful in the management of breakthrough cancer pain episodes Interventional techniques may be useful in the management of breakthrough cancer pain Patients with breakthrough cancer pain should have this pain specifically re-assessed