Approximately one in three individuals in the developed world will be diagnosed with cancer. The incidence of cancer is also increasing rapidly in developing countries. Approximately 50% of patients in developed countries and 70% of patients in developing countries will die as a result of their cancer. More than 80% of those who die of cancer will develop severe pain. The increased frequency of cancer around the world suggests that the burden of cancer pain is likely to increase dramatically over the next decade.

A large number of studies have documented that cancer pain is poorly assessed and managed in many patients. The main reason for these problems is inadequate health care professional education.

The purpose of this book is to provide a comprehensive, clinically oriented, and scholarly review of all aspects of this complex and multidimensional problem. It is our hope that this comprehensive text will lead to improved understanding in treating this devastating disease and will contribute to improvement in care.