A Comprehensive Analysis of the Cancer Chronic Pain Experience: A Narrative Review

Chiara Filipponi,1,2 Marianna Masiero,1,2 Silvia Francesca Maria Pizzoli,1 Roberto Grasso,1,2 Roberta Ferrucci,3 Gabriella Pravettoni1,2 1Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, 20122, Italy; 2Applied Research Division for Cognitive and Psychological Science, IEO European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, 20141, Italy; 3Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, 20146, ItalyCorrespondence: Chiara Filipponi, Email chiara.filipponi@ieo.itAbstract: Cancer-related chronic pain (CP) represents a critical clinical issue through the disease, severely compromising the quality of life (QoL) of patients and the family environment. The current review employed a narrative method to synthesize the main results about the impact of cancer-related CP on QoL, adopting a multidimensional and threefold vision: patients, caregivers, and patient–caregiver perspective. Evidence emphasizes the importance of considering a bidirectional perspective (patient–caregiver) to understand better the pain experience throughout the cancer continuum and its consequences on QoL of patients and caregivers. Moreover, a holistic and multidimensional approach to cancer-related CP and its impact on QoL of patients and caregivers is still needed, in which the interconnection between physical, psychological, and social factors should be analyzed. Theoretical and methodological issues for orienting future social and family research initiatives were discussed.Keywords: chronic pain, cancer, quality of life, personality, social support, decision-making