Cancer Pain
Cancer Pain
The majority of people with cancer will experience pain at some time or another. The pain can result from the cancer itself, or from the cancer's treatment. In addition, some people who have been cured of their cancer can continue to suffer from pain.
Cancer pain, or the discomfort that stems from cancer and its treatment, can be controlled most of the time. There are many different medicines and methods available to control cancer pain. People who have cancer and are feeling pain need to inform their doctor immediately. The earlier pain treatment is started, the more effective it may be.
Try Electrotherapy
The name may be scary, but electrical stimulation works well for some types of nerve pain. Treatments range from electrotherapy you can do at home to surgical procedures. Learn more about the approach and how it can help. Conditions: Nerve pain Symptoms: Muscle weakness, burning, headache, pain, pain with movement, lower back pain, upper back pain, sharp pain, shocking pain, extreme sensitivity, loss of feeling, numbness, tingling, pins and needles Triggers: Treatments:...
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There are many causes of cancer pain, but often cancer pain occurs when a tumor presses on nerves or body organs or when cancer cells invade bones or body organs. Cancer treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery also may cause pain.
The symptoms of cancer pain vary from person to person. The amount of pain may depend on the type of cancer, the stage or extent of the disease, and the person's pain threshold (tolerance for pain). Pain can range from mild and occasional to severe and constant.
Mild to Moderate Pain
Pain relievers:Acetaminophen (Mapap, Tylenol) and a group of pain relievers called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) can treat mild to moderate pain. Many of these are over-the-counter drugs that do not require a prescription, but some do require a prescription. Patients should check with a doctor before using these medicines, especially if they are getting chemotherapy. NSAIDs can interfere with blood clotting, cause gastrointestinal problems and can lead to increased risk of heart attack or stroke.
Moderate to Severe Pain
Narcotic pain relievers: These drugs include codeine, morphine (Kadian, MS contin, Oromorph), hydrocodone (Lortab, NorcoVicodin), oxycodone (OxyContin, Roxicodone), hydromorphone (Dilaudid, Exalgo), and fentanyl (Actiq, Fentora). Narcotic pain relievers require a prescription and may be used along with mild pain relievers for moderate to severe pain.
Tingling and Burning Pain
It’s important to start cancer pain treatment as early as possible to get the most benefit.
The majority of people with cancer will experience pain at some time or another. The pain can result from the cancer itself, or from the cancer's treatment. In addition, some people who have been cured of their cancer can continue to suffer from pain.
Cancer pain, or the discomfort that stems from cancer and its treatment, can be controlled most of the time. There are many different medicines and methods available to control cancer pain. People who have cancer and are feeling pain need to inform their doctor immediately. The earlier pain treatment is started, the more effective it may be.
Recommended Related to Pain Management
Try Electrotherapy
The name may be scary, but electrical stimulation works well for some types of nerve pain. Treatments range from electrotherapy you can do at home to surgical procedures. Learn more about the approach and how it can help. Conditions: Nerve pain Symptoms: Muscle weakness, burning, headache, pain, pain with movement, lower back pain, upper back pain, sharp pain, shocking pain, extreme sensitivity, loss of feeling, numbness, tingling, pins and needles Triggers: Treatments:...
Read the Try Electrotherapy article > >
What Causes Cancer Pain?
There are many causes of cancer pain, but often cancer pain occurs when a tumor presses on nerves or body organs or when cancer cells invade bones or body organs. Cancer treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery also may cause pain.
What Are the Symptoms of Cancer Pain?
The symptoms of cancer pain vary from person to person. The amount of pain may depend on the type of cancer, the stage or extent of the disease, and the person's pain threshold (tolerance for pain). Pain can range from mild and occasional to severe and constant.
What Medicines Are Used To Treat Cancer Pain?
Mild to Moderate Pain
Pain relievers:Acetaminophen (Mapap, Tylenol) and a group of pain relievers called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) can treat mild to moderate pain. Many of these are over-the-counter drugs that do not require a prescription, but some do require a prescription. Patients should check with a doctor before using these medicines, especially if they are getting chemotherapy. NSAIDs can interfere with blood clotting, cause gastrointestinal problems and can lead to increased risk of heart attack or stroke.
Moderate to Severe Pain
Narcotic pain relievers: These drugs include codeine, morphine (Kadian, MS contin, Oromorph), hydrocodone (Lortab, NorcoVicodin), oxycodone (OxyContin, Roxicodone), hydromorphone (Dilaudid, Exalgo), and fentanyl (Actiq, Fentora). Narcotic pain relievers require a prescription and may be used along with mild pain relievers for moderate to severe pain.
Tingling and Burning Pain
- Antidepressants: Certain antidepressants are used to relieve pain even if the person isn't depressed. Amitriptyline and nortriptyline (Pamelor) are antidepressants sometimes used to treat pain.
- Anticonvulsants (anti-seizure medications): Despite the name, anticonvulsants like gabapentin (Fanatrex, Gralise, Neurontin) and carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Equetro,Tegretol) are used not only for seizures, but also to control burning and tingling pain, painful symptoms of nerve damage.
- Other drugs: Corticosteroids such as prednisone (Sterapred) are used to lessen swelling, which often causes pain.
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