Managing Cancer Pain

Cancer may cause pain by applying pressure to or destroying biological structures such as nerves, organs and bones. Cancer can spread from its original site (primary tumor) and travel to other parts of the body (metastasis), causing injury and pain at these sites as well.

Pain may also result from cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiation, which can damage nerves and cause nerve pain in the arms and legs. Patients recovering from cancer surgery frequently experience acute postoperative pain as surgical wounds heal. Aggressive surgery may cause more painful damage; this pain may resolve with healing or it may become chronic.

Common pain problems associated with cancer and cancer treatment:

• Peripheral neuropathy — numbness and painful sensations in the feet, legs, fingers, hands and arms from chemotherapy
• Post-radiation nerve pain
• Nerve pain from spinal metastasis
• Bone and joint pain
• Spinal pain from vertebral fractures
• Abdominal and pelvic pain from abdominal cancers
• Persistent pain after cancer surgery

If you are experiencing pain from cancer or cancer treatments, please call Seasons Pain Clinic today and our team of top pain specialists will develop a pain management solution specifically for your needs.

Treating Cancer Pain

Although cancer-related pain cannot always be relieved completely, a comprehensive plan can reduce pain for nearly all people with cancer, relieving symptoms and improving quality of life.

In many cases, cancer pain can be adequately treated with standard pain medications, which may include opioids. However, side effects — including nausea, fatigue, mental fogginess and the inability to think clearly — may limit the effectiveness of pain medication in some patients.

At Seasons Pain Clinic, we diagnose and treat the physical side of cancer pain with a thorough evaluation and precise, minimally invasive procedures. If pain persists despite treatment, we utilize advanced neuromodulation techniques including trials and implants of neurostimulation systems and targeted drug delivery pain pumps for the most severe pain. These pain control options may serve as alternatives to higher doses of pain medications.

Cancer Pain Treatment Options:

• Peripheral Nerve Block
• Celiac Plexus Nerve Block
• Lumbar Sympathetic Nerve Block
• Hypogastric Plexus Nerve Block
• Neurostimulation systems to treat nerve pain
• Pain Pump for Targeted Spinal Drug Delivery

In addition, if you experience emotional suffering due to cancer, we have specialized psychologists on staff to help with the emotional toll that a cancer diagnosis can take.

Our experience has shown that most cancer pain can be managed with conservative treatment, but when pain persists, the most advanced treatment options are available within our clinic. As a  center of excellence for implantable pain control, Seasons Pain Clinic is ready to help with even the most severe cancer pain.