Overview
Cancer does not always cause pain in a patient’s body, but when there is pain, there are medicines and drugs to treat the pain in addition to methods not involving drugs. The cancer can and often does cause pain, and other cancer-related pains are sometimes due to the treatments, tests, and surgery performed due to the cancer.
Cancer pain can prevent someone from working or participating in everyday activities, and it can disrupt sleeping and eating. Cancer pain can also cause irritability, frustration, anger, and sadness resulting in feelings of isolation and tensions relating to loved ones. The pain level from cancer is dependent on the type of cancer, the stage of cancer, other health problems, and how well a person deals with pain.
If the cancer tumor spreads to the spine, it can create pressure against the spinal cord nerves; this is known as spinal cord compression. It can cause pain, numbness, or weakness in the limbs, and someone with spinal cord compression should seek treatment immediately.
Cancer can also cause pain when it spreads to the bones, however the pain can be reduced with specific treatments and medicines. Sometimes, bone pain is caused as a medicinal side effect from cancer drugs.
TREATMENT OPTIONS
Treatment options may include:
- Acupuncture
- Aromatherapy
- Changing position to avoid stiffness and skin breakdown
- Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)
- Hot and Cold Packs
- Hypnotherapy
- Massage Therapy
- Nerve Blocks
- Painkillers
- Reflexology
- Relaxation Techniques
SYMPTOMS
Symptoms include:
- Anxiety
- Constipation
- Depression
- Fatigue
- Mental confusion
- Nausea
- Shortness of breath
- Sleep disturbances
- Weakness
DIAGNOSIS / TESTS
Physical exam to determine:
- Location of pain
- Pain severity
- Pain duration
- Pain level
- Pain patterns
TYPES
A general way to categorize cancer pain is to label it as acute or chronic:
Acute pain is a result of damage from injury and does it usually last long, and it can be managed with painkillers. When the infected area is healed, the pain is usually alleviated.
Chronic pain is caused nerve changes. Nerve changes are caused from cancer pressing on the nerves, chemicals that the tumor produces, or cancer treatment itself. Chronic pain, also known as persistent pain lasts long after the injury and treatment.
Cancer-related pains also include:
- Bone pain
- Nerve pain
- Phantom pain
- Referred pain
- Soft tissue pain
CAUSES
- The Cancerous Tumor
- Surgery
- Radiation Therapy
- Chemotherapy
Cancer pain is often a result of pressure caused by the cancerous tumor pressing against nerves, bones, and various organs. Treatment, tests, and surgery are also responsible for cancer pain. Sometimes, cancer drugs and treatments can cause tingling, numbness, redness, irritation, or a burning sensation.
FACTS
- Advanced cancer patients are more likely to have pain.
- Cancer pain can almost always be relieved.
- Preventing pain is easier than treating pain after it becomes severe.
- People who use narcotics to treat cancer pain rarely become addicted.
SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TODAY!
Contact our office to schedule an appointment.
OUR OFFICE:
The Pain Experts of Arizona
3370 South Mercy Road
Suite 321
Gilbert, AZ 85297
Phone: 480-550-9393
Fax: 480-999-3375