Cancer-related pain

Even with a difficult diagnosis, no one should have to live with unnecessary pain.

What is it?

Cancer-related pain is pain that can occur at any stage of cancer, including:

The initial stages of diagnosis
Treatments (surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy)
The advanced stages
Or even after recovery, as residual chronic pain

Or even after recovery, as residual chronic pain

How often does it occur?

According to scientific evidence:

Approximately 30–50% of cancer patients experience pain during their illness.
In advanced stages, the percentage can rise to 80%.
In many cases, pain can be effectively controlled if treated by a specialist.

When do we intervene?

Uncontrolled cancer pain can have a significant impact on quality of life.
Early intervention by a pain therapist is helpful when:

The pain does not respond to traditional medications.
You want to reduce the dosage of opioids to limit their side effects.
The pain is neuropathic or complicated.
There are unacceptable side effects (sedation, constipation, nausea, confusion).

What treatments are available?

Drug treatment

Anti-nociceptive drugs: paracetamol, NSAIDs
Opioids in calibrated doses (morphine, oxycodone, fentanyl, tapentadol)
Medications for neuropathic pain: gabapentin, pregabalin, duloxetine, amitriptyline
Co-therapies: corticosteroids, antidepressants, anticonvulsants

Minimally Invasive Interventional Techniques

In selected cases:

Ultrasound-guided or fluoroscopy-guided nerve blocks
Pulsed or thermal radiofrequency
Neurolytic blocks
Catheters for continuous spinal infusion (epidural or intrathecal) in refractory cases

Other Integrated Approaches

TENS and analgesic electrical stimulation
Psychological support and cognitive-behavioral therapy
Integrated palliative care, in collaboration with the oncologist

Treatment Objectives

Reduce pain to a tolerable level
Maintain maximum functionality and mental clarity
Avoid or limit medication side effects
Improve quality of life, at every stage of the illness

Lifestyle Interventions

Attività fisica (passeggiate, stretching), sonno regolare, alimentazione equilibrata e tecniche di riduzione dello stress possono migliorare la resilienza e potenziare l’efficacia delle terapie mediche.

Psychological Support

The management of chronic pain can be aided by psychological interventions (such as relaxation techniques or cognitive behavioral therapy), which help reduce anxiety, insomnia, and the impact of pain on quality of life.