Identification of breakthrough cancer pain (BTcP)

The European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) published clinical practice guidelines for the identification and treatment of breakthrough cancer pain (BTcP).¹

DEFINITION

Although there is no unanimous agreement on the definition and characteristics of BTcP, it has been defined as:

“an episode of severe pain that occurs in patients receiving a stable opioid regimen for persistent pain sufficient to provide at least mild sustained analgesia.”¹

CHARACTERISTICS

An episode of BTcP is typically:¹

- of moderate to severe intensity

- has a rapid onset (minutes)

- of relatively short duration (median 30 minutes)

 

View the ESMO Guidelines

Reference: Fallon M, Giusti R, Aielli F, et al. Annals of Oncology. 2018;29(4):166-191.