PAIN IN CHILDREN WITH CANCER DIAGNOSIS

Pain syndrome is commonly a leading syndrome of oncological and oncohematological diseases in children. Whether the condition is curable or not, the pain syndrome can almost always be controlled that can significantly improve the quality of life of young patients and their families. The presented article highlights the causes and the mechanism of the pain syndrome development in children with oncological and oncohematological diseases. Adequate identification of pathogenetic mechanisms and assessment of pain syndrome is the main goal of the initial assessment of the patient's condition, taking into account the psychosocial characteristics of the patient and his family, thus it is important for clinicians to include these criteria in initial and follow-up examinations of patients in order to provide appropriate therapeutic management. We stress on the comprehensive understanding of the aetiology and pathogenetic mechanisms of the pain syndrome in children with oncological diseases, which directly affect the strategy of overcoming the pain associated with the tumour process, treatment, and carrying out medical and diagnostic manipulations in such children. It is important for specialists in paediatric oncology and oncohematology to diagnose the general pain syndrome, which accompanies cancerous diseases. Effective analgesia requires careful monitoring of the patient’s condition and his/ her syndromic reactions during treatment. The comprehensive assessment of the pain syndrome should include a discussion of the purpose and expectations of pain therapy, changes in pain intensity, characteristics and location. The article presents the basic principles of overcoming the pain syndrome, a three-step approach to the treatment of pain syndrome in children with oncological diseases and the main characteristics and combinations of analgesic groups for pain management.