Chronic cancer pain can result from the same
causes as acute pain but is differentiated by its
longevity. In the UK, this is termed background pain
and is defined as ‘constant or continuous pain of long
duration’.10 Background pain refers to pain persisting
for more than 12 hours per day. It often has a gradual
or ill-defined onset with the potential to progress in
severity. It is estimated that approximately 75% of
cancer patients live with chronic pain, this pain is
secondary to nociceptive or neuropathic syndromes
which represent direct effects of the cancer.11 Chronic
pain must be approached differently with the dual
aim of relieving the pain as well as preventing further
recurrences of pain.