Psychological aspects of cancer pain treatment

Psychological aspects (e.g., illness perception or behaviour) and psychological reactions (e.g., anxiety and depressive reactions) that are possible as a result of a cancer can influence the perception of acute and chronic pain and, thus, the quality of life significantly. The goal of this work is to describe important diagnostic aspects of pain-related psychosocial history, possible and necessary counseling and psychotherapy and pain-related interventions involving family members, taking into account the current status in diagnosis and therapy. Analysis and review of relevant publications based on a selective literature research in PubMed and current guidelines. For cancer patients with pain the earliest possible diagnosis taking into account the biopsychosocial perspective is considered essential. The identification of potential chronicity factors but also resources helps to initiate the best possible counseling and treatment offer to increase quality of life.