Cancer pain stems from various causes and encompasses different types. Rest assured, you can find effective pain control measures and receive support to manage any pain you may experience.

In some cases, pain may arise as a result of cancer treatment. For instance, certain chemotherapy drugs can lead to numbness and tingling sensations in the hands and feet, or a burning feeling at the site of drug injection. Radiotherapy may cause skin redness and irritation.

Cancer pain can be categorized as either acute or chronic:

Acute pain:
Acute pain emerges from injury-related damage and typically lasts for a short duration. For example, pain following a surgical procedure is considered acute and subsides as the wound heals. Painkillers are usually effective in managing acute pain during the healing process.

Chronic pain:
Chronic pain arises from nerve alterations. These changes can occur due to cancer exerting pressure on nerves, chemicals produced by tumors, or nerve modifications resulting from cancer treatment. Chronic pain persists long after the injury or treatment has concluded and can range from mild to severe. It may be constant or intermittent, with episodes of pain occurring suddenly, such as when undergoing dressing changes or movement. This particular type of pain is referred to as incident pain.

The process and treatment of cancer pain involve considering the psychological factors of the patient and conducting medical evaluations, which include assessing the pain history, utilizing pain rating scales, performing physical examinations, evaluating the current condition and extent of the disease, reviewing diagnostic tests, and considering the patient’s treatment and drug history.