The impact of both endogenous and exogenous
opioids on the endocrine system has been known for many years. With the increased use of
opioids in
chronic pain treatment, the research focuses mainly on their effects on the endocrine system in patients with chronic non-malignant
pain. Despite the wide dissemination of
cancer, there has been little research on the possible effects of
opioids on the endocrine system in
cancer patients. For the growing number of cancer survivors and patients in long-term remission who take
opioids, other aspects of endocrine disorders caused or exacerbated by
opioids will have practical and clinical importance. Conversely, this problem may be less relevant for patients in active
cancer treatment or in the advanced stage of disease. This article presents the available research on the effects of
opioids on the endocrine system and the clinical consequences resulting from
opioid use in
cancer patients. Clinicians who use
opioids in clinical practice should be aware of the existence of the endocrine symptoms of
opioid therapy. There is still a need for more research in this area to maintain the best possible quality of life for
cancer patients treated with
opioid analgesics.