Cancer Pain
Cancer pain may result from cancer itself or from cancer treatment (i.e. chemotherapy, radiation therapy). Patients may find relief from cancer pain through interventional pain treatment.
Learn about your treatment options
The first step in treating your pain is to get an accurate diagnosis of the cause of your symptoms. Based on your diagnosis, you and your doctor can determine your best treatment options. At The Pain Center, we offer traditional and state-of-the-art therapies to treat your pain and help get you back to your normal activities.
Causes of Cancer Pain
This type of pain can be caused by the tumor compressing nerves, bones, or organs; by destroying nearby tissue; or by releasing chemicals near the tumor as treatment is performed.
Treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy, are harmful to the body and may cause painful burning sensations.
Some of the common, primary causes include:
- Enlarged tumors that press on bones, nerves, or organs
- Metastasis to bones that destroy them and release painful chemicals
- Inflated or compressed nerves leading to neuropathic pain
- Tumors obstructing organs or blood vessels
- Side-effects of cancer treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery
- Infections due to a weakened immune system from cancer
Cancer Pain Symptoms
Cancer may cause significant discomfort or pain to the area(s) it affects. Chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery may lead to painful scars, burning sensations throughout the body, mouth sores, diarrhea, and nerve damage.
What does it feel like?
Various factors contribute to different cancer-related pain among patients, such as type, stage, and personal pain tolerance, but here are some of the most common symptoms:
- Dull, aching pain
- Sharp or stabbing pain
- Burning or tingling sensations
- Pressure sensations
What type of cancer is most painful?
Depending on where it is located and its stage will impact the type and intensity of the pain experienced.
Some of the more notably painful cancers include:
- Pancreatic: tumor growth presses on nerves or organs in your abdomen
- Head or Neck: affects nerves in the head and neck
- Bone: tumors pressing on nerves around bones and release chemicals leading to irritation
- Prostate: can spread to the pelvis, hips, and lower spine and produce significant pain
What to do when cancer pain is unbearable?
Contact your trusted healthcare provider for pain management recommendations if at-home self-care remedies for pain relief aren’t working.
Cancer Pain Treatment at The Pain Center
Your pain may benefit from the following interventional therapies:
Get the care you need within 24 hours*
We know when you’re looking for relief for your chronic pain, you can’t wait any longer than you already have. This is why we can schedule you with an appointment within 24 hours at most of our pain centers across the Valley, so you can start your journey to life-long pain relief as soon as tomorrow.