A preliminary report is presented on the results achieved in the assessment and treatment of patients with intractable pain during the first six months experience gained following the appointment of a pain consultant at the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute of Clinical Oncology. Nerve blockade was carried out 106 times in 45 patients suffering from primary or secondary malignant disease and 71 times in 18 patients with other conditions; intrathecal instillation of 96% alcohol was performed once and 2 chordotomies were also performed. One patient needed antidepressive therapy. Major questions relating to this problem are discussed. Gratifyingly satisfactory results were observed in more than two thirds of the patients. These objective findings and the subjective impressions obtained from patients, their relatives and our personnel prompted us to continue with this type of treatment for pain and to increase our efforts in this direction.