Pain Specialists Can Help Patients Suffering From Cancer Pain

18 Oct Pain Specialists Can Help Patients Suffering From Cancer Pain

Most cancer patients experience varying degrees of discomfort and pain during treatment. The pain can range from mild to severe. While mild pain can be managed with over the counter medication, severe pain will need management by a pain specialist.

Causes of Cancer Pain

Cancer can cause pain by itself or by damaging surrounding tissue as it grows. Pain can occur at the site of origin of cancer or where it is spreading. The growth may put pressure on the bones, nerves and organs resulting in pain.

Cancer pain can occur due to:

• A tumor pressing on an organ, nerves, bone, or other structure
• Side effects of surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy
• Inflammation or infection
• Blockage of an organ or body canal
• Nerve pain due to pressure on the spinal cord and nerves causing a burning, tingling, shooting feeling
• Bone pain resulting in an aching, throbbing, or dull pain
• Soft tissue pain from a muscle or organ appears as cramping, sharp, or aching pain

Asking for Help with Cancer Pain

Any pain you have that interferes with your everyday life needs expert care and treatment. The pain specialist can help in pain management and treatment and improve your quality of life.

Pain related to cancer is a unique experience and different for every patient. When treated by a qualified specialist, the pain is often reduced or completely eradicated.

Cancer Pain Medications

Medication may be prescribed by the pain specialist depending upon the type of cancer, severity of pain, tolerance to pain and/or medication. A combination of medicines may be used to treat cancer pain. These include:

• Topical agents
• Antidepressants
• Narcotics

Cancer Pain Treatment Options

Treatment of cancer pain often involves interventional measures along with medications. Options include:

Patient-controlled analgesia (PCA)

A pump allows the patient to control administration of pain medicine. When pain occurs, the patient can administer a dose and regulate frequency of medication.

Nerve blocks

Nerve blocks use a long-acting anesthetic injected into the affected nerves to block the transmission of pain signals from the site to the brain.

Celiac Plexus Block with Neurolysis

This is a treatment for abdominal and pelvic cancer pain. An anesthetic is injected into the celiac plexus, a group of nerves in the pelvis and abdomen. The pain doctor may use a neurolytic agent or radiofrequency ablation to destroy a portion of the nerve roots. This block has proven effective in the majority of cases.

Superior Hypogastric Plexus Block

The superior hypogastric plexus is bundles of nerves in the abdomen and pelvis regions. The doctor injects a long-acting anesthetic into it. This is a nerve block with a high success rate. Most of the patients report complete and lasting pain relief.

To know more about treatments for cancer pain, call 480-838-1914.