Last update:
16-Mar-2026

Childhood cancer is a rare but serious disease that affects approximately 400,000 children and adolescents worldwide each year. One of the major problems faced by children with cancer is pain, which affects an estimated 70% of patients. Effective pain management is a central aspect of supportive care for children with cancer. The World Health Organization recommends an analgesic ladder consisting of three levels: For mild pain, non-opioid drugs are used; for moderate pain, mild opioids such as codeine are prescribed, often in combination with non-opioid medications; and for severe pain, strong opioids such as morphine are administered. While this ladder is useful, the complexity of pediatric pain often requires adjustments to treatment. Non-pharmacological interventions such as hypnosis, relaxation techniques, and meditation have proven beneficial in reducing pain and enhancing the mental well-being of children. Pain management in pediatric cancer requires a holistic approach that combines pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions, with opioids being the cornerstone of analgesic treatment in this population.

Key words: Childhood cancer, Pain, Pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions, Supportive care.