Cancer Pain Management

Cancer Pain Overview

Cancer is defined as abnormal cell growth that may spread to other parts of the body. Cancer has the ability to develop in any part of the body and can potentially cause pain. 

Cells in the body grow, multiple (a process called cell division), grow old, and die, with new cells taking their place. When this process is disrupted, damaged cells multiple when they are not supposed to and the cells form tumors. There are cancerous or benign tumors and cancerous tumors spread into surrounding tissue. 

There are over 100 types of cancer. Some types of cancers that start in specific cells are: 

Carcinoma: 

This is the most common type of cancer. This is a cancer that originates in the epithelial cells and a significant amount of cancers that occur in the breast, colon, and prostate are adenocarcinomas. Some of the cancers that form in the bladder, ureters, and kidneys are transitional cell carcinomas. 

Sarcoma:

A type of cancer that occurs in the bones and soft tissues (i.e., muscle, fat, blood vessels, lymph vessels, and fibrous tissue such as tendons and ligaments). Osteosarcoma is the most common form of bone cancer. 

Leukemia:

Cancers that start in the bone marrow and instead of forming tumors, abnormal white blood cells increase in the blood and overtake the normal cells that are there. Leukemia can cause the body to struggle to control any bleeding or fight off infections. There are four main types of Leukemia, including acute or chronic (based on the progression of the cancer) and lymphoblastic or myeloid (based on the type of blood cell where the cancer forms).  

Lymphoma:

A cancer where abnormal lymphocytes gather in the lymph nodes and lymph vessels. Lymphocytes are white blood cells that fight off disease. There are two major types of lymphoma, which are Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Hodgkin lymphoma is lymphocytes known as Reed-Sternberg cells and form from B cells. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is a cancer that forms from B cells or T cells. 

Melanoma:

Also known as skin cancer, as it starts in cells that are melanocytes, which produces melanin (skin pigmentation).  

What Is Cancer Pain

Millions of Americans today have a history of cancer, and for most of these individuals, living with cancer is the biggest challenge they have ever faced. One of the unfortunate realities of living with cancer is the physical pain. Not everyone with cancer will experience pain, but nearly 1 out of 3 people undergoing cancer treatment will experience pain at some point. Cancer pain can be managed with medication in addition to other treatments. 

Pain is one of the most common issues that cancer patients deal with. Cancer pain has the ability to affect a person’s quality of life and ability to function, on top of what the cancer itself and treatment does to the body. Younger patients tend to deal with cancer pain than older patients and the more advanced the cancer is the more intense the pain tends to be. Even after treatment, people can still experience pain for some time.   

However, patients are not alone in their fight against cancer and the pain that might result from it. If you are dealing with pain from cancer or cancer treatment, then it is important to address your pain as soon as possible so that you can be treated appropriately. Cancer pain may not go away completely after treatment, but an experienced pain management doctor can help to reduce the levels of pain and hopefully allow you to go relatively pain free or with significantly lower amounts of pain than before.  

Causes of Cancer Pain

Types of Cancer Pain

Specific pains can result depending on the type of treatment a patient receives. Some of the types of pain that people can experience are: 

• Pain following a surgery. 
• Spasms and stinging/itching from intravenous chemotherapy. 
• Mucositis, which is sores or inflammation of the mouth. 
• Ostealgia, which is bone pain. 
• Peripheral neuropathy, causes numbness, tingling, swelling, or muscle weakness in the hands and feet. It is the result of nerve damage from certain types of chemotherapy. 
• Osteonecrosis or Avascular necrosis, which is the death of bone tissue due to a lack of blood supply. 
• Spinal cord compression 
• Phantom pain, where a person has had an area of the body removed (arm, leg, breast, etc.) and feels pain where that missing body part is. 
• Pain in the joints and muscles of the body. 

Post-Mastectomy Pain Syndrome 

Post-mastectomy pain syndrome results from having breast cancer surgery to remove one or both breasts. Women who develop post-mastectomy pain syndrome have neuropathic pain in the chest wall, armpit, and/or arm and it does not go away. Most women only have mild levels of pain with PMPS and it is estimated that 20% to 30% of women experience PMPS after having surgery.

Treatments for Cancer Pain

If you or a loved one is experiencing pain due to cancer, know that Pain and Spine Specialists is here for you. We frequently receive referrals from oncologists, and we work with patients to ensure they manage their disease with as much comfort and as little pain as possible. Our cancer pain management specialists offer a wide variety of treatments that we personalize to each patient with the goal of giving them the relief they need. Treatment for cancer pain is specific to the individual. Treatments can include:

If you would like more information on our cancer pain management specialists, reach out today. We have offices in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, so schedule an appointment today.