SHIVAM HOSPITAL

Cancer Pain (Pain Management Service)

Headed by Dr. Hemaxi Ambani

Cancer pain management is a specialized field focused on alleviating the pain associated with cancer and its treatments. Effective pain management is crucial for improving the quality of life for cancer patients, enabling them to continue their daily activities and maintain emotional and psychological well-being. This approach involves a comprehensive, multidisciplinary strategy tailored to each patient's unique needs.

UNDERSTANDING CANCER PAIN

Cancer pain can result from the cancer itself or from its treatment. While not every cancer patient experiences pain, many do, and the intensity and type of pain can vary greatly. Pain can manifest as a sharp, stabbing sensation, a tingling or burning feeling, or a persistent ache. It can significantly affect a patient’s quality of life, making other cancer symptoms and treatment side effects feel worse, and increasing the risk of depression and anxiety. Hence, managing pain is a crucial part of comprehensive cancer care.

TYPES OF CANCER PAIN

1. Bone Pain: Feels like a dull ache or throbbing pain, often caused by cancer spreading to the bones.

2. Nerve Pain: Results from tumors pressing on nerves or spinal cord, or from nerve damage due to cancer treatments. It may feel like burning, shooting pain, or tingling.

3. Soft Tissue Pain: Sharp pain, cramping, throbbing, or an ache in the organs or soft tissues such as tendons, muscles, skin, and fat.

4. Phantom Pain: Pain in a part of the body that has been surgically removed, such as after a mastectomy.

5. Referred Pain: Pain felt in one area of the body caused by cancer in another area, like shoulder pain due to liver cancer.

CAUSES OF CANCER PAIN

Tumor Growth: Tumors pressing on bones, nerves, or organs.
Post-Surgical Pain: Pain following surgery to remove tumors.
Treatment Side Effects: Pain from chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or other cancer treatments.
Breakthrough Pain: Sudden severe pain that is not controlled by regular medications.

PAIN ASSESSMENT

To effectively manage cancer pain, our team conducts a comprehensive assessment, asking patients to:

Describe the Pain: Using a scale of 0 to 10 and specifying if the pain is sharp, throbbing, or aching.
Identify Pain Location: Pinpointing the areas of the body most affected.
Detail Pain Timing: Noting if specific activities trigger the pain.

PAIN MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES

1. PHARMACOLOGICAL TREATMENTS:

Non-Opioid Analgesics: Acetaminophen and NSAIDs.

Opioids: Medications like morphine, oxycodone, fentanyl, and others for moderate to severe pain.

Adjuvant Medications: Antidepressants, anticonvulsants, steroids, and bisphosphonates for specific pain types or to enhance pain relief.

2. NON-PHARMACOLOGICAL TREATMENTS:

Physical Therapy: Exercises, massage, and other techniques.

Psychological Support: Counseling, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), relaxation techniques, and mindfulness.

Complementary Therapies: Acupuncture, yoga, meditation, and aromatherapy.

3. INTERVENTIONAL PAIN PROCEDURE:

Nerve Blocks: Injections to block pain signals.

Epidural and Spinal Injections: Direct delivery of pain relief to the spine.

Radiofrequency Ablation: Using heat to destroy nerve tissues.

Intrathecal Pump Implants: Continuous medication delivery directly to the spinal cord.

4. NEUROLOGICAL SURGICAL TECHNIQUES:

Pain Pumps: Catheters delivering medication directly to spinal fluid.

Stimulators: Electrical currents interrupting pain signals.

5. SUPPORTIVE CARE:

Emotional and Psychological Support: Counseling and support groups.

Palliative Care: Comprehensive care to relieve symptoms and improve quality of life, especially in advanced stages.

PATIENT CENTERED APPROACH

Our Cancer Pain Management Service emphasizes:

Individualized Care Plans: Tailored to each patient's specific needs and preferences.
Patient and Family Involvement: Encouraging active participation in care decisions.
Holistic Care: Addressing physical, emotional, and psychological aspects of pain.

Our Services