About Cancer Pain

If you are living with chronic pain due to cancer, you may think it is a natural part of the disease or its treatment and something that must be endured. You may also have decided that side effects from pain medications must be tolerated in exchange for pain control. You do not have to live this way. Managing pain and side effects is possible. Many people experience significant improvements in their pain symptoms after receiving intrathecal drug delivery therapy from Medtronic. That means they can do more of the everyday things that make life special.

Definition

"Cancer" refers to any one of a large number of diseases. People with cancer have abnormal cells in their bodies that divide uncontrollably and can destroy normal body tissue. Cancer can spread throughout the body. Oftentimes, cancer or its treatment causes pain.¹

Causes

There are several biological reasons you may feel cancer pain:

• Cancer treatment such as surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy
• Scar tissue resulting from surgery or cancer treatment
• A tumor may grow into – or crowd out – organs, nerves, or other parts of the body

Symptoms

Cancer pain usually falls into one of two categories:

• Nociceptive pain – caused by damage to tissue; described as sharp, aching, or throbbing
• Neuropathic pain – caused by actual nerve damage; described as a burning or heavy sensation, or numbness

Diagnosis

Your doctor may diagnose you with cancer pain if:

• Your pain doesn't go away, even when medication is taken as directed
• Side effects are getting in the way of your daily activities/reducing your quality of life

Reference

1. Carr D, Goudas L, Lawrence D, et al. Management of cancer symptoms: pain, depression, and fatigue. Evidence report/technology assessment No. 61 (prepared by the New England Medical Center Evidence based Practice Center under contract No. 290-97-0019). AHRQ Publication No. 02-E032. Rockville, MD: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. July 2002.

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