The causes of pain were analysed in 200 patients referred to a multidisciplinary pain clinic for cancer patients. In 158 patients, pain caused directly by tumour growth was found, 116 patients had pain secondary to the cancer disease or treatment while 33 patients had pain caused by factors unrelated to the cancer disease. The patients had many different combinations of causes of pain and the majority had more than one cause of pain. At the first contact and after treatment for 1-2 weeks, the patients were asked whether they had pain on movement, at rest or pain which interrupted sleep. After treatment for 1-2 weeks and after treatment for more than two weeks, the patients assessed the relief of pain obtained (none, slight, moderate, considerable, complete). The majority of patients achieved relief of pain at rest and during sleep while movement was still accompanied by pain in a number of patients. The majority of patients considered that the relief of pain obtained was moderate or considerable. Treatment consisted of adjustment of medication, blockades and epidural opioids supplemented by psychological intervention and help from social workers in selected patients.