Chronic pain and subjectivity in oncology

Abstract

In spite of the advances ocurred in the last two centuries there are still many questions about ethiology and maintenance of chronic pain, and analysis of the history helps us understand the definitions, theories and techniques of treatment, including the ones related to psychological aspect, and how they were developed. At this moment, there is a consensus on the subjective and multifactorial nature of pain. It is necessary a specialized and multidisciplinar treatment approach to identify and solve the problems of communication and measurement of pain, and to amplify the therapeutical care offered to the patients, and the support provided to their families/caregivers and to the health care team.