Treating Cancer Pain – Asheville Pain Center
If you are experiencing pain associated with your cancer, you are not alone. According to the National Cancer Institute, pain occurs in 20% to 50% of patients with cancer. Roughly 80% of patients with advanced-stage cancer have moderate to severe pain. While this pain cannot always be completely eliminated, there are many treatments and therapies that can significantly decrease it.
Cancer & Pain Management
It is very important that the members of your care team know about any pain that you may be experiencing since pain can interfere with the effectiveness of treatment. The specific type or location of the cancer will ultimately determine the specific cause of pain. There are several reasons for experiencing cancer-related pain. Some possibilities include:
Tumors that release chemicals which cause pain
Tumors that press on organs, bones or nerves
Blocked blood vessels resulting in poor circulation
Metastasis (when the cancer has spread to another part of the body)
Cancer treatment side-effects
Our Asheville Pain Center has experience with all these conditions and more. Learn more about our cancer pain management philosophy right here.
Epidural Injections
For pain that is more broad or widespread in location, epidural injections may be recommended. The space just outside the spinal cord’s outer membrane is referred to as the Epidural region. In this treatment, your doctor will inject the needle into the correct spot as he or she is guided by an x-ray with a special dye. The injection into this area works to interrupt pain signals.
The Comprehensive Pain Consultants of the Carolinas offers epidural injections as one of the possible treatment options for cancer pain. By itself, an epidural injection may be sufficient to provide relief but may also be used in conjunction with a comprehensive rehabilitation program for longer term benefit.
Intrathecal Pumps or Nerve Blocks
A pump can be attached to an injection site which allows the pain medication to continue being delivered without interruption. One of the most common areas that are treated with this method is the space between the sheaths covering the spinal cord, also known as the “intrathecal.” Some people have discovered that this method allows for a lower collective amount of pain medication to be used over time since it is delivered directly to the nerves causing pain. Learn more about this state-of-the-art treatment option right here!
Nerve blocks, or neural blockades, can also provide relief for cancer pain. In this treatment, a local anesthetic is injected around or into a nerve which block prevents pain messages along that nerve pathway from reaching the brain.
Medications
A wide variety of pharmaceutical treatments also exist as potential options to treat cancer pain. Your care team at the Asheville pain center can help you navigate the best course of action based upon your specific pain. Some of these options may include:
Over-the-counter medications (acetaminophen, aspirin or ibuprofen)
Prescription pain medications (codeine, morphine, oxycodone, fentanyl, etc.)
Antidepressants
Anti-seizure drugs
Steroids
Other options as your care team see fit
Pain Psychology
Our philosophy is that, in order to treat pain effectively, you must address the physical, emotional and psychological aspects. Pain psychology is the process in which patients learn new ways to think about their problems and help you find solutions. Pain Psychologists can do this by using tools such as structured support, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and short-term psychotherapy, all of which can help people develop useful coping skills.
Visit our website to learn more about how pain psychologists can help you make lifestyle changes that will allow you to continue participating in work and recreational activities.
Cancer Pain Treatment Asheville
Our Asheville Pain Center specializes in many comprehensive strategies that target the pain associated with cancer or cancer treatments. No matter what stage you are in, we are dedicated to doing all we can to improve your quality of life. We are here to offer you the very best cancer pain treatment Asheville has to offer!
Give us a call today to schedule your first appointment.
Get in touch with us by calling 828-483-4438
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article does not constitute medical advice, nor does reading or accessing this information create a patient-provider relationship. Comments that you post will be shared with all visitors to this page. All comments are not governed by HIPAA and you should not post any private health information.