Pain is the most common discomfort experienced by children with cancer and occurs in almost 89% of patients in an advanced stage of the disease. It is most often not adequately treated because of inexperience and unfounded fears of analgesic treatment. In adults, patient controlled analgesia (PCA) is widely administered, while in children with moderate to severe cancer pain its use is still under evaluation for safety and efficacy.
Division of Paediatric Oncology, Department of Paediatric Sciences, A Gemelli Hospital, Catholic University, Largo A Gemelli 8, Rome, Italy. ruggiero@rm.unicatt.it
