People usually assume that cancer treatment mirrors what you see in the movies or hear from other people: chemotherapy. While chemotherapy is one of the most effective treatments for cancer, it is not the only one. People’s bodies react differently to treatments and what works wonderfully on someone, may not relieve any symptoms for another person.
January is Cervical Cancer Awareness month and Southwest Spine and Pain Center wants all of our patients to familiar with cancer symptoms and effective treatments. All of our physicians and trained staff members are aware of the different kinds of cancer pains that may arise and effective treatments to relieve debilitating symptoms. With four locations all over Utah, Southwest Spine and Pain Center hopes to better serve residents of Utah suffering with pain.
Cancer treatments are utilized in the hope of reducing pressure and inflammation on the tissues and nerves. These treatments are called palliative treatment because they are focused on reducing symptoms rather than curing the cancer. Some of these treatments are:
- Chemotherapy
- Radiotherapy
- Hormone therapy
- Biological therapy
- Radiofrequency ablation
Chemotherapy and biological therapies work to shrink the cancer while at the same time reduce symptoms.
Pain, as one of the most common symptoms of cancer, is often hard to manage. Depending on the kind of cancer, your doctor may recommend a nerve block. Nerve blocks disrupt the flow of nerve signals, thus stopping pain. Research shows that roughly 90 percent of individuals with abdominal cancers will have some level of pain relief after a coeliac nerve block.
The splanchnic nerves are located in the chest and abdomen and send signals from the spinal cord to the surrounding organs. When pressure is put on these nerves, pain will develop. A splanchnicectomy cuts the splanchnic nerves to help reduce pain.
Another common nerve block to relieve cancer pain is a thoracoscopic sympathectomy. To reach the nerves in the chest, a doctor uses a thoracoscope to see inside the body. Under general anesthesia or a sedative, a doctor makes small incisions in between the neck and breastbone. Using the thoracoscope, the surgeon uses a laser to block the nerves of the sympathetic nerve chain.
Other common treatments include percutaneous cementoplasty, vertebroplasty, electrical nerve stimulation, acupuncture, and strengthening exercises for your bones. If you or someone you know is suffering with debilitating pain from a cancer, come in and consult with one of our dedicated physicians.
If chronic pain is impacting your life, don't wait to schedule an appointment at Southwest Spine and Pain Center. With three locations and growing, the pain management specialists at Southwest Spine and Pain Center are dedicated to helping those who suffer from chronic pain live the life they want to! To schedule an appointment, visit our locations tab!
The advice and information contained in this article is for educational purposes only, and is not intended to replace or counter a physician’s advice or judgment. Please always consult your physician before taking any advice learned here or in any other educational medical material.
©Southwest Spine and Pain Center, 2014
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