This study evaluated the place of general practitioners (GP) in managing pain of lung cancer (LC) patients and their knowledge of specific guidelines.Prospective study including LC patients presenting with pain with a need for WHO (World Health Organisation) level III medication. Pain evaluation (Brief Pain Inventory), current treatment and patients with doctor satisfaction were evaluated. Patients' GP were invited to answer a questionnaire.Fifty-nine patients (median age, 58 years), mainly stage IV Non Small Cell LC (n = 40) were included. Before treatment, 47 patients presented with moderate/severe pain which moderately/severely impacts on daily activities. Patients were mainly satisfied with their GP. Fifty-six GP were questioned (35 answered, 62.5%). Twenty-four known guidelines but no one had a specific training for pain management. Twenty-five used visual analogical scales for pain evaluation but morphine's prescription largely varies when compared with guidelines.Pain management for lung cancer patients seems always perfectible and development of specific training represents a pragmatic short term objective.
