Pain management in advanced stage cancer
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Pain management in 
advanced stage 
cancer Pain is a symptom most feared about 
in any disease so also cancer. But not 
all cancer patients will have pain. Pain 
in cancer takes many forms like dull, 
achy, sharp or burning pain. It can be 
continuous or intermittent pain. It can 
be mild, moderate and severe pain. It 
can be acute or chronic pain. Thus 
pain management is an essential part 
of cancer treatment. Pain in cancer 
advances as the tumor grows into the 
tissue or destroys nearby tissues or 
compresses nerves. The treatment 
options for pain management 
depends on the intensity of pain.
1.       Anti inflammatory medicines (NSAID)
These medicines are used for managing mild pain and pain due to inflammation. Excess use of these 
might lead to stomach upset, heartburn, indigestion. They can be given in the form of oral tablets and 
injections.
 
2.       Steroids
These are used to handle moderate pain and pain due to swelling. They can be given in the form of oral 
tablets, injections and topical applications.
 
3.       Opioid drugs
These are used for severe pain. They are also called narcotic drugs which are long acting and short 
acting. They are in the form of oral tablets and skin patches. If oral tablets are taken in high dose or for 
prolonged time it might lead to addiction and sudden stoppage might lead to withdrawal symptoms. 
Skin patches are bandage like patches which slowly and steadily releases the medicine thus has 
prolonged and sustained action.
 
4.       Nerve block procedures
These procedures are for temporary pain relief wherein a pain killer medicine is injected around or into a 
nerve or spinal cord or epidural to block the pain signals sent to the brain.
5.       Integrative therapies
 External therapies like massage, application of pain killer medicines, acupuncture, relaxation 
therapies, meditation, hypnotherapy will be helpful in reducing pain.
6.       Surgery
Surgical  intervention is used to remove blockages or tumor pressing on nerves or any organs and 
thus relieves pain.
7.       Radiation therapy
In this therapy high doses of radiation is used to kill cancer cells and shrink the pain causing tumor 
especially in bone and brain.
8.       Chemotherapy
In this treatment anti tumor medicines are injected in the vein or given in the form of tablets  to 
reduce the size of tumor in soft tissues and organs by which intensity of pain reduces.
9.       Antidepressant and anticonvulsant drugs
These drugs act as pain relievers especially in neuropathic pain like burning, tingling and numbness.
Thus with the help of a 
health care provider pain in 
advanced cancer can be 
managed by properly 
assessing the intensity of 
pain and planning the 
treatment to enable better 
quality of life for cancer 
patients. Strategical use of 
pain management methods 
in advanced stage of cancer 
helps the patients cope with 
the pain physically and 
emotionally and thus 
enable them to continue 
their fight against cancer.
THANK YOU
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