Cancer Pain Syndromes
by
Krisha McCoy, MS DefinitionAbout one-third of people with cancer have pain. Cancer pain can be affected by:
CausesCancer pain is often grouped by what is causing the pain such as:
Risk FactorsHaving cancer is the main risk factor for cancer pain. SymptomsCancer pain will vary from person to person. In general, any type of pain felt by someone with cancer is cancer pain. The pain may:
DiagnosisYour doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done. Special tests may also be done to find possible causes of the pain. Imaging tests may be needed to look for sources of pain. Bone fractures and lesions can be found this way. Imaging tests may include: Your doctor may need to test your nerves. This can be done with:
TreatmentYour plan will depend on the type of pain you are having. It will also depend on how your cancer has been treated. The overall goal is to manage pain. Options include: Medicine
Radiation TherapyRadiation therapy can help to shrink tumors. It may be used to relieve:
Alternative TreatmentsAcupuncture may be helpful in reducing cancer pain. Talk to your doctor to see if this is a good option for you. PreventionCancer pain usually cannot be prevented. RESOURCES:American Cancer Society https://www.cancer.org National Cancer Institute https://www.cancer.gov CANADIAN RESOURCES:Canadian Cancer Society https://www.cancer.ca Provincial Health Services Authority http://www.bccancer.bc.ca References:Cancer pain. American Cancer Society website. Available at: https://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatments-and-side-effects/physical-side-effects/pain.html. Accessed January 8, 2018.
Cancer pain. EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at:
http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T113832/Cancer-pain
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Updated September 7, 2017. Accessed January 8, 2018.
General information about cancer pain. National Cancer Institute website. Available at: https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/side-effects/pain/pain-pdq. Updated August 31, 2017. Accessed January 8, 2018.
2/11/2011 DynaMed Plus Systematic Literature Surveillance
http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T113832/Cancer-pain
: Paley C, Johnson M, Tashani OA, Bagnall AM. Acupuncture for cancer pain in adults.
Cochrane Database Syst Rev.
2011;(1):CD007753.
Last reviewed November 2018 by
EBSCO Medical Review Board
Mohei Abouzied, MD, FACP Last Updated: 12/20/2014 |
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