Background: The aim of this study was to explore the differences in the descriptors for neuropathic and nociceptive pain in cancer patients.
Patients and methods: One hundred and eighty-six cancer patients who participated in the study completed the Greek version of the McGill Pain Questionnaire (G-MPQ) for the assessment of their pain quality.
Results: Significant differences were found between type of pain in all G-MPQ classes. Statistically significant associations were found between Present Pain Intensity and type of pain (p = 0.002). Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that patients who selected the descriptors "pricking" and "annoying" were 2.64 times and 2.2 times, respectively, more likely to experience nociceptive rather than neuropathic pain (p = 0.020 and p = 0.015, respectively). Further analysis showed that sensory seemed to be the most significant indicator for type of pain (95%, CI: 0.911-0.974, p < 0.001).
Conclusion: Sensory quality and some of pain descriptors may differentiate neuropathic from nociceptive pain in cancer patients.