Cancer Pain

Why does cancer cause pain?

Cancer-related pain can have several causes. First, the disease itself can cause pain as tumor growth presses on or invades nerves, blood vessels, neighboring organs, and other tissues. Cancer can also cause inflammatory and immune system responses as well as hormonal imbalances, all of which can cause or exacerbate pain. And finally, treatments like chemotherapy and radiation therapy can cause painful side effects which can persist even after treatment has stopped.

Many patients with advanced forms of cancer have intense pain that interferes with sleep, mood and daily activities. The good news is, with proper care from an experienced pain management physician like those at Pain Medicine Consultants, cancer-related pain can be managed or even eliminated in most cancer patients.

What treatments are available for cancer-related pain?

Depending on the severity of the pain, over-the-counter medications or prescription medications may be used to manage painful symptoms. Prescription medications are available in oral forms that can be swallowed or dissolved under the tongue, as well as through skin patches that release medication continuously.

Nerve blocks can also be useful in managing very intense pain. These injections prevent pain signals from traveling from the nerves to the brain, so the pain is never “perceived” or felt.

Managing cancer-related pain requires ongoing visits to ensure the approach, dosing, and medication used can be adjusted as your needs change.

How can I tell which type of pain management approach will be best for me?

Pain management specialists have extensive training in the most effective techniques for successful management of cancer-related pain. If you have cancer and you experience any type of pain, discussing it with a pain management specialist right away is the best way to ensure the pain is kept under control throughout your illness and treatment as your pain experiences change.

For more information on managing cancer pain, call Pain Medicine Consultants, or book an appointment online. The practice has locations in Pleasant Hill, Pleasanton, and Marin County, California.