There is history of the introduction and development of systemic and invasive opioid treatment of chronic cancer pain in Russia presented by the authors--experts with experience in thisfield over 30 years. The earliest researchers are no more among us, but their memory is still alive in the publications of the early 1980's. Along with the analysis of accumulated by Russian specialists positive clinical experience of opioids using, authors discuss main problems of organization and availability of adequate opioid therapy of chronic pain in Russia. Ways of further development ofpalliative care and pain management in oncology is discussed as well as.