Request an Appointment

Cancer Pain

Cancer pain is a common and often debilitating symptom that can arise at any stage of cancer, whether due to the disease itself or as a result of treatments like surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation. This pain can vary greatly from person to person in terms of intensity, duration, and the specific areas of the body affected. Cancer pain can be a complex condition that requires a multidisciplinary approach for effective management. Fortunately, with proper treatment, most people with cancer pain can find significant relief and improve their quality of life.

What Causes Cancer Pain?

Cancer pain can be caused by a variety of factors, including:

  • Tumor Pressure: As cancer grows, it can press on surrounding tissues, organs, nerves, or blood vessels, leading to pain.
  • Metastasis: When cancer spreads to other parts of the body (metastasizes), it can damage bones, nerves, or other tissues, leading to pain in distant areas.
  • Treatment Side Effects: Certain cancer treatments, including chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery, can cause pain as a side effect. Radiation therapy can cause inflammation in healthy tissues, while chemotherapy may lead to nerve damage.
  • Surgical Procedures: Surgery to remove cancerous tissue can sometimes cause post-surgical pain, which can persist or become chronic.
  • Inflammation: Cancer and its treatments can trigger inflammation, which can make pain worse.
  • Bone Pain: Some cancers, especially those that affect the bones, like breast, prostate, or lung cancer, can cause severe bone pain as a result of metastasis or direct tumor involvement.
  • Nerve Damage: Cancer or treatments like chemotherapy can damage the nerves, leading to neuropathic pain.

Symptoms of Cancer Pain

Cancer pain can manifest in a variety of ways depending on the type of cancer and the areas affected. Common symptoms of cancer pain include:

  • Constant or Intermittent Pain: Cancer pain can be constant, with a steady aching sensation, or it can be intermittent, coming and going in waves.
  • Sharp, Stabbing Pain: Some people with cancer experience sudden, intense stabbing or shooting pain, particularly if the tumor is pressing on a nerve.
  • Dull, Aching Pain: A constant, dull ache in areas where cancer is present, such as the bones, muscles, or soft tissues.
  • Burning or Tingling Sensations: Nerve-related cancer pain can cause burning, tingling, or numbness, particularly in the hands or feet.
  • Pain with Movement: Many cancer-related pains worsen with movement, particularly in areas where the tumor is located.
  • Pain that Worsens at Night: Pain can often become more intense during the evening or at night, disturbing sleep and leading to additional fatigue.

Diagnosing Cancer Pain

At Ascent Pain, diagnosing cancer pain begins with a thorough review of your medical history, including the type of cancer, stage, and any treatments you have received. Your pain specialist will perform a physical examination to assess the areas where you’re experiencing pain and determine the type of pain you’re dealing with (nociceptive, neuropathic, or mixed). Imaging tests such as X-rays, MRIs, or CT scans may be ordered to evaluate tumor size, location, and any spread of cancer. Blood tests and biopsies may also be done to assess your condition further. Understanding the underlying cause of your pain is essential for creating an effective treatment plan.

Treatment Options for Cancer Pain

Managing cancer pain effectively requires a combination of treatments tailored to your individual needs. At Ascent Pain, we offer a wide range of pain management options, including:

  • Medications:
    • NSAIDs: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen can reduce inflammation and relieve mild to moderate pain.
    • Antidepressants and Anticonvulsants: These medications are particularly effective for nerve pain (neuropathic pain), such as that caused by chemotherapy.
    • Steroids: Corticosteroids like prednisone may be used to reduce inflammation and swelling around tumors, helping to alleviate pain.
    • Topical Medications: Creams or patches containing local anesthetics or capsaicin can be applied to the skin to provide localized pain relief.
  • Nerve Blocks and Injections:
    • Epidural Steroid Injections: Steroids can be injected into the epidural space to reduce pain and inflammation in the spinal cord.
    • Nerve Blocks: A targeted injection of anesthetic or steroid medication around a specific nerve can help block pain transmission, providing relief for localized cancer pain.
    • Sympathetic Nerve Blocks: These injections are used to block the sympathetic nerves that transmit pain signals, providing relief for pain from cancer that affects organs or tissues.
  • Radiation Therapy: In certain cases, radiation therapy may be used to shrink tumors and relieve pain, especially in bone pain or pain from tumors pressing on organs or nerves.
  • Psychological Support: Pain management often involves addressing the emotional and psychological impact of living with cancer pain. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and relaxation techniques can help you cope with the mental stress of chronic pain.

Get Relief from Cancer Pain Today

If you are experiencing cancer pain, Ascent Pain is here to help. Our compassionate team of pain specialists will work with you to develop a customized treatment plan that addresses both the physical and emotional aspects of pain. With a combination of advanced treatments and therapies, we can help you manage your pain and improve your quality of life.

Call Ascent Pain at (504) 249-7576 or fill out our online form to request an appointment and take the first step toward lasting relief.