Pain

What is pain?

Pain is the body’s way of signaling that something is wrong. It can happen when tissues are injured, inflamed, stretched, or irritated. In patients with cancer, pain may be caused by the cancer itself, cancer treatment, tests, or procedures. 

Pain can be acute or chronic. Acute pain starts suddenly and often lasts a short time, such as pain after surgery or a procedure. Chronic pain lasts longer and may continue during or after cancer treatment. 

What does pain look like?

Pain can feel very different from person to person. It may be sharp, dull, aching, throbbing, burning, shooting, cramping, or stabbing. Some pain stays in one place, while other pain may spread or travel to another area.

Pain can also affect more than just the body. A person with pain may have trouble sleeping, moving around, concentrating, eating, or enjoying daily activities. Pain can also affect mood and emotions, and stress or depression can make pain feel worse.

Who gets pain?

Pain is one of the most common symptoms in patients with cancer. Pain may come from a tumor pressing on nerves, bones, or organs. It may also occur because of surgery, radiation, or a side effect of cancer therapy. 

How is pain prevented?

Pain cannot always be fully prevented, but in certain situations, some measures may be taken to help prevent or lessen pain. For instance, the care team may give medicine before a painful procedure or recommend non-drug methods early to help prevent pain or keep it from worsening.

How is pain treated?

Pain treatment depends on the cause, type, and severity of the pain. For mild pain, treatment may include non-opioid medicines such as:

• Acetaminophen (Tylenol®)
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
  
  • Ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®)
  • Naproxen (Aleve®)
  • Meloxicam (Mobic®)
  • Diclofenac (Voltaren®)
  • Celecoxib (Celebrex®)
  • Ketorolac (Toradol®)

For moderate to severe cancer pain, opioids may be offered unless there is a reason they should not be used. Opioids are typically started as needed at the lowest effective dose and then adjusted based on pain control and patient goals. Some commonly used opioid medications include:

• Codeine
• Tramadol (Ultram®)
• Morphine (MSIR®, MS Contin®)
• Hydrocodone (Hysingla®, Vicodin®, Lortab®)
• Oxycodone (Roxicodone®, Percocet®, OxyContin®, Xtampza®)
• Hydromorphone (Dilaudid®)
• Fentanyl (Duragesic®)
• Oxymorphone (Opana®)
• Methadone

Some types of pain may also require adjuvant medications, which are drugs used for specific pain types. For example, nerve pain may be treated differently than bone pain or cramping pain. In addition to medicines, non-drug treatments such as physical therapy, relaxation, acupuncture, counseling, and other supportive approaches may also help.

NOTE: Treatment Options listed below are not all-inclusive. Other treatments may be available. ChemoExperts provides drug information and does not recommend any one treatment over another. Only your Doctor can choose which therapy is appropriate for you.

Treatment Options

• Fentanyl (Duragesic®)
• Morphine (MSIR, MS Contin®, Kadian®, Arymo® ER, MorphaBond ER®)
• Oxycodone (Roxicodone®, Percocet®, OxyContin®, Oxaydo®, Xtampza®)