Neuropathic Pain In Cancer Patients Research Articles

Factors Associated with Neuropathic Pain in Cancer Patients Admitted to a Palliative Care Unit

Introduction: Recognizing factors associated with pain in advanced cancer patients may favor a better multidisciplinary approach. Objective: To identify factors associated with the most prevalent type of pain in cancer patients admitted to a palliative care unit. Method: Cohort-study-based cross-sectional analysis of baseline data collected from cancer inpatients at the palliative care unit assisted by the physiotherapy service. Sociodemographic, clinical data and pain characteristics were obtained and analyzed according to the most prevalent type of pain at hospital admission. An odds ratio (OR) logistic regression was utilized as a measure of effect at a 95% confidenceinterval (95% CI). Results: A total of 62 patients were assessed, mostly women (69.3%) with less than 60 years old (67.7%), the most frequent tumor sites were gynecological (25.8%) and breast (16.1%). Local disease progression associated with metastasis was observed in 87.1% of all patients, with 50.0% presenting bone metastasis and 37.1%, a bone event. The most prevalent type was moderate tosevere (69.3%) neuropathic pain (51.6%), associated with the presence of a bone event (OR = 3.16; 95% CI: 1.01-9.90) and less than 60 years old (OR = 4.08; 95% CI: 1.91 -17.52). Conclusion: Neuropathic pain was the most prevalent pain in cancer patients receiving palliative care associated with the presence of bone events and less than 60 years old.

Incidence of Different Characters of Neuropathic Pain in Cancer Patients Coming to Tertiary Care Centre in North India Over A Period of 1 Year - An Observational Study.

Pain is classified as nociceptive, neuropathic, or nociplastic. Neuropathic pain presents as variable phenotypes (characters) based on specific aetiology and pathophysiology. This study aimed to find out among cancer patients the incidence of different phenotypes of neuropathic pain and form specific phenotypic clusters based on the underlying neurophysiology and association of sensory profile with various organ systems - A prospective observational study. The Institutional Ethical Committee clearance (IEC code: 2020-49-MD-EXP-15) https://ctri.nic.in/Clinicaltrials/showallp.php?mid1=44886&EncHid=88651.15716&userName=CTRI/2020/09/027964 approval was obtained. After written and informed consent, patients of age group 18-80 years, registering in the pain and palliative outpatient department or radiotherapy department with complaints of pain and not taking any anti-neuropathic pain medications, were enrolled. They were assessed using Leeds assessment of neuropathic symptoms and signs (LANSS) pain score, and a score of >12 was eligible for assessment of neuropathic pain phenotypes. Out of 210 cancer patients complaining of pain, a neuropathic component with LANSS >12 was found in 73 (34.76%). The most predominant phenotypes, allodynia> tingling> pricking = burning, were found in 72.60%, 56.16%, and 43.84% of patients, respectively. Phenotypes were clustered into Nodes 1 and 2 based on clinically significant separation of phenotypes. Node 1 had neuropathic pain of spontaneous origin found predominantly in gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and genitourinary tract (GUT) cancers. Node 2 had stimulus-evoked negative and positive characters which occurred in head and neck, thoracic, and spinal metastatic cancers. Careful patient assessment reveals the incidence of neuropathic pain in 34.76%; allodynia and tingling astable the most prominent phenotypes. Broadly, sensory characters were clustered into spontaneous and stimulus-evoked sensations with GIT and GUT cancers presenting with Node 1 symptoms.

KTt-45, a T-type calcium channel blocker, acts as an anticancer agent by inducing apoptosis on HeLa cervical cancer cell line

The abnormal expression in the T-type calcium channels is involved in various cancer types, thus inhibiting T-type calcium channels is one of approaches in cancer treatment. The fact that KTt-45 acted as a T-type calcium channel inhibitor as well as a pain-relief agent prompts us to address if KTt-45 plays any role against cancer cells. The results showed that KTt-45 caused cytotoxic effects towards HeLa cervical, Raji lymphoma, MCF-7 breast cancer, and A549 lung cancer cell lines with IC50 values less than 100 μM, in which highly selective toxicity was against HeLa cells (IC50 = 37.4 μM, SI > 3.2). Strikingly, the KTt-45 induced an accumulation of cytoplasmic vacuoles after 48 h treatment and mitochondrial-dependent apoptosis activation as evidenced by morphological features, chromatin condensation, nuclear fragmentation, and significant activation of caspase-9 as well as caspase-3. In conclusion, KTt-45 could inhibit cell growth and trigger mitochondrial-dependent apoptosis in HeLa cervical cancer cells. The results, taken together, strongly demonstrated that KTt-45 is a potential agent for further study on anticancer drug development which not only targets cancer cells but also helps to relieve neuropathic pain in cancer patients.

Abstract No. : ABS2584: Incidence of different phenotypes of neuropathic pain in cancer patients coming to tertiary care centre in North India over a period of one year -An observational study .

Background and Aims:Neuropathic pain can present as characters(phenotypes) based on specific etiology, which can be grouped together to form phenotypic clusters. This study aimed to find out the incidence of different phenotypes amongst cancer patients and form phenotypic clusters.Methods:Institutional Ethics Committee clearance and clinical trial registration registration were obtained. After written and informed consent, patients aged between 18-80years, registering in Pain and palliative out-patient department or Radiotherapy department with complaint of pain and noton any anti-neuropathic pain medications, were enroled. They were assessed using the Leeds assessment of neuropathic symptoms and signs(LANSS) pain score and a score of >12 was eligible for assessment of neuropathic pain phenotypes.Results:Out of 261 patients ,73 had LANSS>12 (28%). The incidence of various characters of neuropathic pain has been shown in figure 1. The phenotypes were clustered in 3 groups based on spontaneous pain(cluster I), stimulus evoked positive pain(cluster II) and stimulus evoked negative pain(cluster III) and they were correlated with different organ systems. Most of the patients had combined phenotypic sensory profile of cluster I+II.Figure 1- Incidence of different phenotypes of neuropathic painConclusion:Careful patient assessment can reveal different phenotypic combinations of pain and hence guide targeted therapy. Individuals’ sensory profiles should be used to select the patients who are most likely to benefit from treatment with drugs used for neuropathic pain.

Effects of exercise on chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy in cancer patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Summarize and critically evaluate the existing studies to determine the effects of exercise on chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy in cancer patients. We searched PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases for randomized controlled trials reporting exercise intervention in cancer patients with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. The outcomes of interest included chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy symptoms, physical function (balance control, muscle strength, and functional status), and quality of life. The Cochrane Collaboration's tool was employed to assess the risk of bias. The search identified 1309 studies, 16 of which eligible. Our meta-analysis revealed that exercise intervention significantly improved the quality of life (SMD = 0.83, 95% CI = 0.58 to 1.08, I2 = 0%, P < 0.00001) and relieved neuropathic pain (MD = - 4.93, 95% CI = - 5.60 to - 4.26, I2 = 0%, P < 0.00001). The muscular strength of the upper (SMD = 1.10, 95% CI = 0.68 to 1.51, I2 = 25%, P < 0.00001) and the lower limbs (SMD = 0.84, 95% CI = 0.42 to 1.26, I2 = 36%, P < 0.00001) increased and balance performance (SMD = 1.05, 95% CI = 0.62 to1.48, I2 = 0%, P < 0.00001) was better in the exercise group than in the group with usual care. However, no evidence was found that exercise intervention could improve CIPN symptoms. The results of this study showed that combined exercise could be an effective option for improving quality of life, physical function (balance control and muscle strength), and neuropathic pain in cancer patients with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. Further exploration of appropriate exercise prescriptions is needed to improve other outcomes. Specific and appropriate exercise intervention for cancer patients with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy should be recommended because these interventions can improve their quality of life and physical function.

A comparative study to analyze the effect of gabapentin with amitriptyline versus pregabalin with amitriptyline in neuropathic pain in cancer patients undergoing palliative care

Introduction: Antiepileptics and antidepressant medications are known for managing neuropathic pain. We aim to compare the effects of pregabalin with low-dose amitriptyline and gabapentin with low-dose amitriptyline in managing neuropathic pain in cancer patients undergoing palliative care. Materials and Methods: We conducted our study on 160 cancer patients who were having neuropathic pain and were undergoing palliative care treatment in our institute. It was a hospital-based, randomized, tertiary cancer center-based observational study. After taking approval from the institutional ethics committee and taking written informed consent from patients, the patients were divided into two groups and the effect of medicines on incidence of neuropathic pain was observed; the incidence of burning sensation and the incidence of adverse effects of medications were also analyzed. Statistical analysis was done using paired t-test and SPSS version 20 software. Results: The onset of relief in pain was earlier in the pregabalin group as compared to the gabapentin group. There was more reduction in a burning sensation in the pregabalin group as compared to the gabapentin group. The incidence of headaches was the same in both groups. Nausea and vomiting were more in the pregabalin group but the overall difference in adverse effects was not statistically significant (P > 0.05) Conclusions: In the management of neuropathic pain in cancer patients who are undergoing palliative care, a combination of pregabalin with amitriptyline was found to be more effective in pain relief than gabapentin with amitriptyline.

The Burden of Cancer-related Neuropathic Pain: A Multi-centric Cross-sectional Observational Study from North India.

Introduction:Neuropathic cancer pain is a common consequence of cancer itself and anti-cancer treatments. It is a complex phenomenon, often underdiagnosed by physicians or underreported by patients. Its diagnosis and management are usually more challenging than nociceptive pain. There is a dearth of epidemiological evidence for neuropathic pain in cancer patients in India. Screening questionnaires serve as a quick guide to identify potential cases of neuropathic pain. The aim of the present study was to identify the burden of cancer-related neuropathic pain using the Self-reported version of the Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs (S-LANSS) pain scale.Methodology:This was a cross-sectional, observational, multi-centric study conducted at three hospitals in North India. From January 2017 to October 2017, patients attending pain clinic were screened for participation in the study. Adults aged ≥18 years and experiencing the pain of oncologic origin were eligible to participate in the study if they provided informed consent. S-LANSS questionnaire was used to screen patients with neuropathic pain.Results:From a total of 261 patients, who were enrolled in the study, 56.7% were male and their mean age was 50.87 (18–80) years. Fifty-four percent patients had pain with predominantly neuropathic component (S-LANSS score ≥10).Conclusion:High burden of neuropathic cancer pain has been observed in outpatient palliative care settings. Early diagnosis of neuropathic pain through screening questionnaires can serve as a quick guide for physicians in resource-constrained settings. This will allow identification of the neuropathic component of pain in patients suffering with mixed pain.

Spinal cord stimulation in the management of neuropathic pain in cancer patients: case report

Introduction: Neuropathic pain is present in up to 40 % of all cancer patients. A considerable number of patients fail to achieve enough pain relief with conventional treatment, which is why therapeutic alternatives such as spinal cord stimulation should be considered.&#x0D; Case description and results: This is the case of a female patient with chronic neuropathic pain secondary to a partial femoral nerve injury sustained during resection and lymph node dissection surgery with curative intent for a large stage II cell squamous cell carcinoma T2N0M0, localized in the right popliteal fossa. The patient presented with difficult to manage chronic neuropathic pain, despite receiving multiple oral analgesics and nerve blocks. A medullary neurostimulator was implanted that relieved the patient’s pain intensity in up to 80%, in addition to improved function and quality of life.&#x0D; Conclusions: spinal cord stimulation is considered an effective neuromodulatory intervention which has shown satisfactory results in the treatment of various types of refractory chronic pain in cancer patients, including neuropathic pain.

Circadian regulation of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathic pain and the underlying transcriptomic landscape

Growing evidence demonstrates circadian rhythms of pain hypersensitivity in various chronic disorders. In chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN), agents such as paclitaxel are known to elicit chronic neuropathic pain in cancer patients and seriously compromise their quality of life. Here, we report that the mechanical threshold for allodynia in paclitaxel-treated rats exhibited a robust circadian oscillation, reaching the nadir during the daytime (inactive phase). Using Per2::LucSV circadian reporter mice expressing a PER2::LUC fusion protein, we isolated dorsal root ganglia (DRG), the primary sensory cell body for peripheral nerve injury generated hypersensitivity, and monitored ex vivo reporter bioluminescence. We observed strong circadian reporter rhythms in DRG neurons which are highly entrainable by external cues. Paclitaxel treatment significantly lengthened DRG circadian periods, with little effects on the amplitude of oscillation. We further observed the core protein BMAL1 and PER2 in DRG neurons and satellite cells. Using DRG and dorsal horn (DH; another key structure for CIPN pain response) tissues from vehicle and paclitaxel treated rats, we performed RNA-sequencing and identified diurnal expression of core clock genes as well as clock-controlled genes in both sites. Interestingly, 20.1% and 30.4% of diurnal differentially expressed genes (DEGs) overlapped with paclitaxel-induced DEGs in the DRG and the DH respectively. In contrast, paclitaxel-induced DEGs displayed only a modest overlap between daytime and nighttime (Zeitgeber Time 8 and 20). Furthermore, paclitaxel treatment induced de novo diurnal DEGs, suggesting reciprocal interaction of circadian rhythms and chemotherapy. Our study therefore demonstrates a circadian oscillation of CIPN and its underlying transcriptomic landscape.

Abstract B110: Assessments of ameliorative effect of Forsythia Fructus on chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain and its genotoxic potential

Abstract The Forsythia Fructus (FF) have been prescribed in traditional medicine to relive clinical symptoms such as fever, pain, wound healing, vomiting, and nausea. The present study was performed to evaluate the neuroprotective effect of aqueous extract of FF on oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathic pain; the in vivo neuroprotection activity was evaluated by von Frey test in murine models and in vitro protective effect was measured using PC12 cells. FF significantly alleviated oxaliplatin-induced mechanical hypersensitivity in rat model. In addition, FF exerted the neuroprotection effects against oxaliplatin-induced neurotoxicity as well as -inhibited neurite outgrowths in PC12 cells and dorsal root ganglion cells. In order to assess the safety of FF, we next evaluated genotoxic potential using a standard battery of in vitro and in vivo test system: the bacterial reverse mutation (Ames) test, the chromosomal aberration test, and the micronucleus test with bone marrow cells derived from male ICR mice in accordance with OECD guidelines. The results showed that aqueous extract of FF had not any genotoxic potential under the conditions tested. Taken together, these results indicated that FF will be useful for relieving oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathic pain in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy without genotoxic potential at least in our experimental condition. Citation Format: Sarah Shin, Jinhee Kim, Jin-Mu Yi, No Soo Kim, Ok-Sun Bang. Assessments of ameliorative effect of Forsythia Fructus on chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain and its genotoxic potential [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics; 2019 Oct 26-30; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2019;18(12 Suppl):Abstract nr B110. doi:10.1158/1535-7163.TARG-19-B110

Levorphanol for Treatment of Intractable Neuropathic Pain in Cancer Patients.

Neuropathic pain in cancer patients is often difficult to treat, requiring a combination of several different pharmacological therapies. We describe two patients with complex neuropathic pain syndromes in the form of phantom limb pain and Brown-Sequard syndrome who did not respond to conventional treatments but responded dramatically to the addition of levorphanol. Levorphanol is a synthetic strong opioid that is a potent N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor antagonist, mu, kappa, and delta opioid receptor agonist, and reuptake inhibitor of serotonin and norepinephrine. It bypasses hepatic first-pass metabolism and thereby not subjected to numerous drug interactions. Levorphanol's unique profile makes it a potentially attractive opioid in cancer pain management.

Neuropathic pain in cancer patients treated with bortezomib

IntroductionThe neuropathic pain is the most habitual problem in the neuropathy induced by chemotherapy (NIQ) and the one that more interferes in the quality of life of the patients. His precocious detection turns out to be fundamental to reduce or to eliminate the problems that from this one stem. The aims of this study were: 1) determine the incident and NIQ's characteristics and neuropathic pain in patients with mieloma multiple (MM) treated with bortezomib, and 2) to evaluate the impact of the neuropathic pain in the activities of the daily life (AVD). MethodAll the patients diagnosed of MM candidates for treatment with bortezomib attended in the Hospital Joan XXIII during 2013, took part. The participants were interviewed individually and were reporting on the presence, the characteristics and the impact of the pain, as well as of the adverse effects of the bortezomib. ResultsThere took part 22 persons, of which NIQ presented the half, being the degree 2 the predominant one. The most habitual location of the neuropathic pain was hands and feet; it was appearing in a spontaneous and progressive way deteriorating in rest and during the night, with predominance of positive symptoms. The impact of the pain was reflected in all the AVD. The principal limitation was the disability to enjoy the life. The peripheral neuropathy occupied the first place in order of subjective importance for the patient followed by the fatigue and the constipation. ConclusionsA proper assessment and early detection of neuropathic pain is critical to minimising its impact on the quality of life of patients.

Electroacupuncture alleviates chemotherapy-induced pain through inhibiting phosphorylation of spinal CaMKII in rats.

Current medical treatments for chemotherapy-induced pain (CIP) are either ineffective or have adverse side effects. Acupuncture may alleviate CIP, but its effectiveness against this condition has not been studied. Paclitaxel causes neuropathic pain in cancer patients. We evaluated the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) on paclitaxel-induced CIP in a rat model. Paclitaxel (2mg/kg) or vehicle was injected (i.p.) on alternate days of 0-6. The resulting pain was treated with 10Hz/2mA/0.4ms pulse EA for 30min at the equivalent of human acupoint GB30 (Huantiao) once every other day between days 14 and 26. For sham control, EA needles were inserted into GB30 without stimulation. Von Frey filaments with bending forces of 2-8g and 15g were used to assess mechanical allodynia and hyperalgesia, respectively, on day 13 and once every other day between 14-26days and then for 2-3weeks after EA treatment. Compared to sham control, EA significantly alleviated paclitaxel-induced mechanical allodynia and hyperalgesia, as shown by less frequent withdrawal responses to the filaments. The alleviation of allodynia/hyperalgesia lasted up to 3weeks after the EA treatment. EA significantly inhibited phosphorylation of Ca2+ /calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) in the spinal cord. KN-93, a selective inhibitor of p-CaMKII, inhibited mechanical allodynia/hyperalgesia and p-CaMKII. 5-HT1A receptor antagonist blocked EA inhibition of allodynia/hyperalgesia and p-CaMKII. Electroacupuncture activates 5-HT 1A receptors in the spinal cord and inhibits p-CaMKII to alleviate both allodynia and hyperalgesia. The data support acupuncture/EA as a complementary therapy for CIP. Electroacupuncture (EA) activates spinal 5-HT1A receptors to inhibit p-CaMKII to alleviate paclitaxel-induced pain. Acupuncture/EA may be used as a complementary therapy for CIP.

Investigation on effect of basalin coated silver nanoparticles as antioxidant for alleviating peripheral neuropathy in mice treated with oxaliplatin

A facile, convenient, and green method for the synthesis of BAgNPs by using basalin is proposed in this work. The capping of the basalin on the surface of BAgNP was confirmed by the zeta potential and FTIR findings. Further, we have injected prepared BAgNPs into oxaliplatin-treated mice to alleviate neuropathic pain. The aluminum levels in the DRG were reduced by the chelating activity of BAgNPs. Moreover, behavioral analyses also manifested that the accumulation of aluminum on the DRG might be a reason for neuropathic hyperalgesia. These findings also recommended that the chelation of aluminum by AgNPs could provide an effective remedy to alleviate the symptoms of oxaliplatin-induced neuropathic pain in cancer patients.

EP-1396: Versatis® and focal neuropathic pain in cancer patients (screening tool)

EP-1396: Versatis® and focal neuropathic pain in cancer patients (screening tool)

Patient-reported neuropathic pain in adolescent and young adult cancer patients.

Neuropathic pain, a known complication of cancer and its treatments, negatively impacts quality of life. There are limited data using screening tools to aid in the diagnosis of neuropathic pain in cancer patients. Our primary objective was to determine the proportion of adolescent and young adult cancer patients reporting neuropathic pain on a patient-completed, neuropathic pain screening tool. This prospective, cohort study enrolled patients 14-39 years of age who were receiving therapy for primary cancer diagnosis, cancer relapse, or had recently completed treatment. The painDETECT, a patient-completed, neuropathic pain screening tool used down to age 14, was administered a maximum of three times in on-therapy patients and once in off-therapy patients. Provider documentation of neuropathic pain at the corresponding visit was abstracted from the medical record. Seventy-eight patients participated. Median (interquartile range) age at study enrollment was 18.1 (16-19.4) years and 47% were female. Cancer diagnoses included 41% leukemia, 26% solid tumor, 23% lymphoma, and 10% central nervous system tumor. The proportion of patients reporting neuropathic pain was 26% (95% confidence interval [CI] 16-40%) in on-therapy patients and 11% (95% CI 3-27%) in off-therapy patients. In patients reporting neuropathic pain, only 26% had a clinical diagnosis of neuropathic pain documented in the medical record at the corresponding visit. Neuropathic pain occurs in one in four adolescents and young adults receiving cancer therapy. Use of screening tools may increase the detection of neuropathic pain in adolescents and young adults receiving cancer therapy and could ultimately improve pain treatment.

Anticonvulsants or Antidepressants in Combination Pharmacotherapy for Treatment of Neuropathic Pain in Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

To investigate the efficacy of anticonvulsants or antidepressants in combination pharmacotherapy for treatment of neuropathic pain in cancer patients. We systematically searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the metaRegister of Controlled Trials for randomized controlled trials that compared anticonvulsants or antidepressants in combination pharmacotherapy (experimental group) with treatments without anticonvulsants or antidepressants (control group) for neuropathic pain in cancer patients. Risk of bias was evaluated in accordance with the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. The primary outcome was a mean difference (MD) in change in global pain analyzed by a random-effects model. Eight trials met the inclusion criteria with a total of 1359 participants of whom 698 received an experimental intervention. The MD in change in global pain suggested a favorable association with anticonvulsants or antidepressants in combination pharmacotherapy compared with control groups (MD, -0.41; 95% confidence interval, -0.70 to -0.12) with no heterogeneity across trials (I=0%). The MD in change estimated in all sensitivity analyses ranged from -0.36 to -0.47, suggesting that these effects were consistent across different study designs and statistical assumptions. Anticonvulsants or antidepressants in combination pharmacotherapy reduce neuropathic pain in cancer patients compared with treatments without anticonvulsants or antidepressants. Limited evidence precludes a recommendation on specific adjuvants in combination pharmacotherapy.

Classification of neuropathic pain in cancer patients.

Neuropathic pain can affect up to 40% in patients with cancer, which could be related to the tumour, treatment or comorbid diseases. Effective assessment to diagnose neuropathic pain is crucial in order to choose the right treatment. There is to date no systematic classification system; the Neuropathic Pain Special Interest Group of the International Association for the Study of Pain developed a neuropathic pain grading system intended to be used for both clinical and research purposes, and a recent review describes a step-by-step process for applying the grading system in a clinical setting for cancer pain. We have combined these recommendations to outline a clinically relevant process to classify neuropathic pain in patients with cancer.

Neuropathic pain in cancer patients: A brief review.

Neuropathic pain (NP) is initiated or caused by a primary lesion or dysfunction in the nervous system. The NP in cancer patients is typically due to a combination of inflammatory, neuropathic, ischemic, infiltrative, and compression mechanisms that involve one or more anatomic sites. These patients will often have various types of co-existing pain syndromes and co-morbidities. Thus, any treatment plan needs to be individualized. After a thorough clinical assessment and evaluation, a combination therapy including anticonvulsants, antidepressants, N-methyl-D-aspartate antagonists, opiates, topical agents, and interventional procedures should be considered in these patients.

Translation and transcultural adaptation of Pain Quality Assessment Scale (PQAS) to brazilian version

IntroductionMost cancer patients are treated with chemotherapy, and peripheral neuropathy is a serious and common clinical problem affecting patients undergoing cancer treatment. However, the symptoms are subjective and underdiagnosed by health professionals. Thus, it becomes necessary to develop self-report instruments to overcome this limitation and improve the patient's perception about his medical condition or treatment. ObjectiveTranslate and culturally adapt the Brazilian version of the Pain Quality Assessment Scale, constituting a useful tool for assessing the quality of neuropathic pain in cancer patients. MethodThe procedure followed the steps of translation, back translation, analysis of Portuguese and English versions by a committee of judges, and pretest. Pretest was conducted with 30 cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy following internationally recommended standards, and the final versions were compared and evaluated by a committee of researchers from Brazil and MAPI Research Trust, the scale's creators. ResultsVersions one and two showed 100% semantic equivalence with the original version. Back-translation showed difference between the linguistic translation and the original version. After evaluation by the committee of judges, a flaw was found in the empirical equivalence and idiomatic equivalence. In pretest, two people did not understand the item 12 of the scale, without interfering in the final elaboration. ConclusionThe translated and culturally adapted instrument is now presented in this publication, and currently it is in the process of clinical validation in Brazil.