Objective To explore the effect of auricular plaster therapy combined with oxycodone hydrochloride sustained release tablets on the number of pain outbreaks, the present pain intensity (PPI) score and the Karnovfsky performance status (KPS) score in cancer pain patients. Methods From January 2017 to November 2019, 100 cancer pain patients in our hospital were selected as the subjects of this study, and they were divided into two groups by random number table method. The control group (n=50) was treated with oxycodone hydrochloride sustained release tablets, and the study group (n=50) was treated with auricular-plaster therapy on the basis of the control group. The clinical efficacy, number of pain eruption, PPI score, KPS score and adverse reactions were compared. Results The remission rate of the study group was higher than that of the control group (P＜0.05). The number of pain outbreaks in the two groups after treatment was less than that before treatment (P＜0.05), and the number of pain outbreaks in the study group after treatment was less than that in the control group (P＜0.05). The PPI score of the two groups after treatment was lower than that before treatment (P＜0.05), and the PPI score of the study group after treatment was lower than that of the control group (P＜0.05). KPS scores of the two groups after treatment were higher than those before treatment (P＜0.05), and KPS scores of the study group after treatment were higher than those of the control group (P＜0.05). The incidence of nausea/vomiting and constipation in the study group was lower than that in the control group (P＜0.05). There was no significant difference in dizziness, dysuria and somnolence between the two groups (P＞0.05). Conclusion Auricular-plaster therapy combined with oxycodone hydrochloride sustained release tablets can improve the treatment effect of cancer pain, reduce the number of pain outbreaks, PPI score, adverse reactions, increase KPS score, and improve the quality of life.