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Pain control and cancer

Cancer can be very painful. Tumor growth, nerve damage, or treatments, such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation may cause pain. Muscle aches and pains can develop when physical activity is limited for cancer patients.

Pain relief is called analgesia. In most patients, cancer pain can be controlled safely and effectively. All cancer patients should expect good pain control as part of their care. Patients and their families need to learn how to participate in a pain management program.

Pain management improves the patient's quality of life because it:

• relieves suffering
• allows increased activity
• increases appetite and
• allows the patient to sleep

Cancer patients often lose hope when they have constant pain or when there is a new pain. They might believe that pain is a symptom that their cancer is worsening. Pain control is also important in patients with stable disease. It may help them to continue to work productively, to enjoy recreation, and to take pleasure in their usual role in the family and society.

There are many ways to treat pain. These include medications and behavior strategies. For more severe pain, options may include radiation, nerve blocks, and surgery.

Consult the UI Health Care Cancer Information Service for more information about this topic.

Last Reviewed 2005

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

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