Pain associated with cancer usually results from two circumstances: (1) the pressure of the tumor on bones and/or nerves or (2) the effects of cancer treatment such as chemotherapy. Being diagnosed with cancer is understandably a very scary event and the professionals at Southwest Spine and Pain Center are dedicated to eliminating pain to make the process an easier one.
At Southwest Spine and Pain Center, we tackle pain conditions everyday. Our physicians are dedicated to healing patients by any means possible. Each patient is treated individually with their medical history, pain condition, and goals considered at every level of treatment. Southwest Spine and Pain Center recently expanded and now has four locations across Utah. Trust the premier Utah pain clinic and your friends at Southwest Spine and Pain.
There is no one type of cancer pain. Your physician will run the appropriate tests and assessments to determine the type and cause of your pain so that you receive the best treatment. The different kinds of cancer pains require different treatments. Some types of cancer pain include:
- Nerve pain
- Bone pain
- Soft tissue pain
- Phantom pain
- Referred pain
Nerve pain, also known as neuropathic pain, is caused by pressure on the spinal cord or surrounding nerve. Patients with this kind of pain describe it as burning, shooting, or tingling. In some surgical procedures, the nerves may need to be cut. As a result, they take a long time to heal. Nerve pain can also result after radiotherapy or chemotherapy.
Bone pain is caused when the cancer spreads into the bone. The cancer cells affect the inner workings of the bone and damage the bone tissue. Patients with spreading cancer in their bone(s) describe symptoms of aching, dull, or throbbing pain.
Soft tissue pain occurs, for instance, when back pain causes kidney and tissue damage. Also referred to as visceral pain, soft tissue pain is sharp, cramping, aching, and throbbing.
In some of the most extreme cases of cancer, a limb may be required o be removed. When an arm or leg is removed, for example, it is done so because sarcoma or osteosarcoma has ruined the functioning tissues. For people who lose a limb, their pain may occur because their brain can’t understand why the limb is no longer there. Phantom pain will typically lessen after the first year without the limb. It is important to work with your doctor regularly to get the proper rehabilitation and treatments necessary for improvement.
Referred pain is when pain is felt at a different part of the body. For example, when your liver is affected by cancer and you feel pain in the right shoulder. This occurs because the liver sits up against the nerves that end from the shoulder.
At Southwest Spine and Pain Center we believe in educating every single patient on every aspect of their condition and treatment. Most times, patients come in for care and don’t really know what is going on in their body. Our professional and committed staff at Southwest Spine and Pain Center is why we are the leading pain care specialists of Utah.
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.
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