Transient episodes of pain that occur in patients with chronic pain that has been previously reduced to tolerable levels. The term is often used to describe painful episodes that disrupt the well-being of cancer or hospice patients who have been prescribed regular doses of narcotic analgesics. The painful episodes may occur as a previous dose of pain-relieving medication wears off (so-called “end-of-dose” pain), or after unusual or unanticipated body movements. (“incident pain”).