Acute pain is typically related to diagnostic procedures and cancer treatment and is generally defined as lasting no longer than three months. The most common types of acute pain related to cancer treatment are postoperative pain and the pain of oral mucositis. The acute pain of some patients with cancer may be caused by arthralgia or myalgia, which can be side effects of some chemotherapy drugs and biologic therapy.

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This topic was updated on June 2, 2016.