In the article by Cipta and colleagues1 reviewing cancer-related pain management, after discussing cancer pain syndromes and their many sources, they turn their attention to the assessment and management of those cancer-related pains. However, there is no mention of breakthrough pain in cancer patients (BTCP) either in regard to assessment or management, including the use of transmucosal fentanyl for its treatment. Their discussion of pain assessment highlights the need to obtain a detailed pain history from the patient that includes intensity, quality, and aggravating factors of the cancer-related pain.
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