Pain in the head and neck cancer patient: changes over treatment.

The incidence, severity, and location of pain was evaluated in 30 head and neck cancer patients prior to treatment after the first phase of their treatment and upon the completion of treatment. The incidence of pain was relatively high (40%-70%) and tended to increase slightly over treatment. Patients having advanced disease (stage III or IV) had a higher incidence of pain. Pain severity ratings were stable over treatment. Pain was located close to tumor or incision sites, and a trend for patients to report a greater number of pain sites over treatment was noted. While medical status variables (disease stage and site) were found to predict pain status after the initial phase of cancer treatment, initial pain measurements were more likely to predict pain status at the completion of treatment.