Opioid Tapering in Cancer Pain: A Prospective Study

Abstract

Background: Chronic pain is common and debilitating in cancer patients. The pain prevalence rate is 39.3% in cancer survivors, 55% during cancer treatment, and 66.4% in advanced, metastatic, or terminal disease. Patients with cancer, or a history of cancer, may have pain related to cancer or its treatments. Tolerance and dependence associated with opioids are established. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Adult Cancer Pain guideline includes considerations for opioid tapering based on evidence from non-cancer pain. Opioid tapering may be warranted among cancer patients and cancer survivors to optimize patient safety, pain, and functionality. With better evidence to show the benefits of low-dose opioid therapy and discontinuation, the purpose of this study was to successfully implement and evaluate opioid tapering among cancer patients.