Many cancer patients experience pain due to their condition at some point in their treatment. However, each patient experiences this pain differently, and descriptions of the pain can vary widely. Causes can range from a tumor pressing on a nerve to bone marrow infiltration to chemotherapy itself. Treating this pain will require an approach that is tailored to each patient’s symptoms.
Some treatment options for cancer pain include the use of a TENS unit, nerve blocks and massage therapy. Pharmaceutical treatments may include over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs), opiate medications and muscle relaxants.
