The objective of this short communication was to inform evidence through an overview of reviews of cancer pain and quality of life. Theoretical understanding of cancer pain should involve a combination of biochemical/neurobiological factors,together with social/racial and ethnocultural influences of pain and quality of life in people with cancer. Both generic and disease-specific self-reported questionnaires should be used to explore utility and efficacy of interventions and also to study the multidimensional impact of cancer pain on quality of life. Multimodal management with treatment options ranging from educational, medical/pharmacological (bisphosphonates), surgical (nerveblocks) and radiation therapy should be incorporated into supportive cancer care. Future research should address caregiver and family issues, and explore the mechanism-based paradigm in cancer pain in order to effectively enhance quality of life of people with cancer pain.

Keywords: Palliative oncology; Cancer anesthesiology; Quality of life; Cancer pain.