Cancer Specialist

What is cancer pain?

Although not every person who has cancer lives with pain, many do. About 20-50% of people with cancer, and 80% of people with advanced-stage cancer, experience moderate to severe pain.

With a multidisciplinary approach to pain management, the compassionate team of physicians at CHOICE Pain & Rehabilitation Center successfully relieve chronic cancer pain for many adults.

What causes cancer pain?

Various factors contribute to cancer pain. The most common causes of pain are the cancer itself and the side effects of treatments. When you have cancer, the tumor may cause pain by pressing against your nerves, bones, or other organs.

Cancer-related pain may include:

Chemotherapy side effects

Depending on the medication you receive, chemotherapy can cause numerous painful side effects. This includes bone and joint pain, as well as painful sensations in your upper and lower extremities — your hands, arms, feet, and legs.

Post-surgical pain

Pain is an expected side effect of any type of surgery. People who have cancer may undergo various surgical procedures that cause pain, including biopsies.

Regardless of the cause, the team at CHOICE Pain & Rehabilitation Center finds that most types of cancer pain can be successfully managed with drug and nondrug therapies.

How is cancer pain treated?

The physicians at CHOICE Pain & Rehabilitation Center believe that cancer pain is very treatable. About 90% of their patients find relief through their multidisciplinary approach.*

Depending on the specific type and severity of your cancer pain, your physician may recommend one or more of the following medications:

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicine such as ibuprofen
• Opioids such as morphine, hydrocodone, or oxycodone
• Steroids such as prednisone and dexamethasone
• Antidepressants such as trazodone or imipramine
• Antiepileptics such as gabapentin

You may need to take your medications orally, or your physician may inject them into your body. Some medications enter your body through a patch you apply to your skin.

In addition to medication management, the team at CHOICE Pain & Rehabilitation Center may recommend supplementary treatments, including:

• Injection therapy
• Relaxation techniques
• Biofeedback and imagery

This multidisciplinary approach provides even more pain relief for people with cancer.

To learn more about your options for overcoming cancer pain, call CHOICE Pain & Rehabilitation Center or schedule an appointment online today.

*Individual results may vary