A Literature Review of Pain Management Interventions for Pediatric Cancer Patients

Abstract

The ongoing improvement of medical interventions has not successfully reduced the ongoing clinical challenge of pediatric cancer pain management. The research investigated pain management studies for pediatric and adolescent cancer patients to identify evidence-based therapeutic methods. A systematic review of the literature review with a search conducted on PubMed and CINAHL databases while using a structured PICO framework for this analysis. Nine peer-reviewed publications between 2015 and 2025 served as the basis for qualitative content analysis in this research. This study revealed three fundamental areas related to pain management which included pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions, and barriers preventing effective pain management. Opioids formed the primary part of pharmacological interventions for pain treatment, but health professionals employed multiple medication approaches that catered to pediatric pharmacological requirements. The studies showed non-pharmacological interventions included methods of cognitive distraction with sensory-based relaxation and mind-body techniques. Inadequate healthcare provider training and patient healthcare provider communication gaps together with healthcare provider stigma against opioid usage proved to be significant barriers to proper care. The findings show that pediatric oncology pain management requires structured multidimensional treatments together with targeted educational programs for better practice development. Academic research should prioritize the development of pain medications created specifically for children along with testing comprehensive pain management interventions while working to improve communication across healthcare settings