Key points Neuropathic pain is far from being the exception in children with cancer. Among the various categories of neuropathic pain, central neuropathic pain is the most poorly understood and the most difficult to treat, especially in the dying. This should encourage paediatricians treating these children to carry out a regular and methodical examination of at-risk children, especially since they are so young. The World Health Organisation has called cancer pain a worldwide medical emergency. Key points PCA maintains constant serum levels of analgesia, avoiding the peaks and troughs of intermittent administration of opioids.
Patient anxiety is less as there is no delay between onset of pain and analgesic relief.
PCA is a safe and practical and reliable method of delivery. Yet finding a common agenda has not always been easy. Council is investigating how nationally collectable data derived from the Minimum Data Sets Project can be used to inform policy-making. A leaflet offers a number of benefits besides being a memory aid. Increasing the patient's knowledge and understanding of morphine should help to allay anxiety and increase compliance.