Mechanisms and management of neuropathic pain in cancer.

Neuropathic pain is a common syndrome in people with cancer. The pathophysiology of such pain in cancer is not fully understood, often leading to poor management and needless suffering. Knowledge regarding the potential mechanisms of neuropathic pain, skill in appropriate history-taking and physical-assessment techniques, and awareness of the more common neuropathic pain syndromes and their etiologies, as well as familiarity with the role of new pharmacologic interventions, will allow healthcare professionals to provide better relief of neuropathic pain. At present,a variety of agents are used to treat neuropathic pain situations. Rehabilitation of persons with neuropathic pain should be part of overall management and should address functional impairment and safety factors to prevent accidents resulting from sensory loss.