Cancer Pain Specialist Q&A

There are different types of pain associated with cancer; the type of pain can vary depending on the type of cancer and the specific way it affects the body. Bone pain is the most common type of discomfort associated with cancer, which occurs when a tumor either grows into the bones or starts pressing against them. This is a deep, aching pain that is not relieved with massage; it is usually chronic.

Burning pain is also common for those with cancer, which is most commonly caused by a tumor pressing on a nerve; it can also be caused by nerve damage due to surgery or chemotherapy. While less common than other types of pain, phantom pain often occurs in people who have had a part of their body removed due to cancer, such as an arm or breast.

• Deep, Aching Pain — When a tumor presses on the bones, this excess pressure can cause deep pain that aches.

• Burning Pain — Burning pain is most commonly associated with nerve damage or pressure on the nerves; this is frequently caused by chemotherapy, radiation or surgery.

• Phantom Pain — Phantom pain is pain that is experienced in a body part that has been removed, such as a breast in people who have had a mastectomy.

• Emotional Pain — Emotional pain refers to feelings of anxiety or depression that result from being diagnosed with cancer and undergoing treatment; this can also exacerbate other types of pain.

• Acute Pain — When pain is acute, it is intense, short-lived and recovers in a few months. This is the most common type of pain, which is experienced by every person many times throughout life.

• Chronic Pain — Chronic pain is very complex and affects different people differently. It occurs over a long period of time and can range from mild to intense.

Most signs and symptoms relating to cancer are not actually caused by cancer but are caused by other, less severe things. However, if more than one or two signs or symptoms are present, it may be indicative of something more serious. While many of these can be caused by other problems as well, these are some of the more common signs and symptoms that may be caused by cancer:

• Fatigue or extreme tiredness
• Weight loss/gain of over 10 pounds

Eating problems such as:
• Not feel hungry
• Trouble swallowing
• Belly pain
• Nausea and vomiting

• Swelling or lumps anywhere in the body
• Thickening or lump in the breast
• Pain, especially new or with no reason

Skin changes such as:
• A lump that bleeds or turns scaly
• A new mole or mole changes
• A sore that does not heal
• A yellowish color to the skin/eyes (jaundice)

– Cough or hoarseness that does not go away
– Unusual bleeding or bruising for no known reason

Changes in bowel habits, such as:
• Constipation or diarrhea
• A change in how your stools look

Bladder changes such as:
• Pain when passing urine
• Blood in the urine
• Needing to pass urine more or less often

• Fever or nights sweats
• Headaches
• Vision or hearing problems

Mouth changes such as:
• Sores
• Bleeding
• Pain
• Numbness

The signs and symptoms listed above are the more common ones seen with cancer, but there are many others that are not listed here. If you notice any major changes in the way you feel or the way your body works, especially if it persists or gets worse, let a doctor know. If it has nothing to do with cancer, the doctor can find out more about what is going on and develop a treatment plan to address your concerns. If it is cancer, you may have the opportunity to treat it early, when treatment is more successful (depending on the stage of development).

Cancer can hurt the body in a number of ways. Firstly, tumors can grow at such a quick rate that they place excess pressure on internal organs and other sensitive areas of the body. This can interfere with their function and result in a variety of complications. These tumors can spread to other areas of the body, causing more damage and dysfunction. Furthermore, because the immune system is fighting off the cancer, the body is more susceptible to infection.

The type of cancer that causes the most pain is bone cancer or cancer that has spread to the bones. There are different factors that influence the degree of pain, including:

• Type of cancer
• Stage of cancer
• Tolerance of pain

At American Pain and Wellness, we offer a number of different treatments for cancer pain:

• Regenerative Medicine
• Radiofrequency ablation
• Peripheral nerve blocks
• Sympathetic nerve blocks
• Non-opiate medication management

If you or someone you love has cancer pain, trust the pain management specialists at American Pain and Wellness to provide you with effective relief. Call us today to book an appointment with our cancer pain specialist, or visit one of our two Texas locations: we have one clinic in Plano, TX, and one in Allen, TX. We serve patients from Allen TX, Plano TX, Fairview TX, McKinney TX, Parker TX, Lucas TX, Murphy TX, Frisco TX, Richardson TX, and Collin County Texas. We look forward to serving you!