Definition

About one-third of people with cancer have pain. Cancer pain can be affected by:

• The cancer getting worse
• Where cancer is in the body
• A person's physical condition

Most cancer pain can be managed with treatment.

Causes    TOP

Cancer pain may be caused by:

• Tumors pressing on bone, nerves, or an organ.
• Cancer treatment, such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery

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Risk Factors    TOP

Having cancer is the main risk factor for cancer pain.

Symptoms    TOP

Cancer pain will vary from person to person. The pain may be:

• Near or far from the tumor
• Mild, moderate, or severe
• Regular and long lasting, or it may come and go
• Felt as pressure, sharp, dull, throbbing, burning, stabbing, or achy

Diagnosis    TOP

The doctor will ask about symptoms and past health. A physical exam will be done. Tests may also be done to find possible causes of the pain. They may include:

Imaging tests such as:

• CT scan
• MRI scan

Nerve tests, such as:

• Electromyography (EMG)
• Nerve conduction velocity (NCV)

Treatment    TOP

Treatment depends on the type of pain. It also depends on how the cancer has been treated. The goal is to manage pain. Options may be:

Counseling and support groups may also be advised—to help with coping.

Prevention    TOP

Cancer pain usually cannot be prevented.