When drugs are not enough to relieve cancer pain or when they cause troublesome side effects, treatments such as radiation and nerve blocks may help.
- Radiation is the use of X-rays to destroy cancer cells and shrink tumors. It is used to destroy cancer growths that press on your nerves, bones, or spinal cord. The type of radiation that you receive depends on your cancer diagnosis, the area of your body that is affected, and your previous history of radiation therapy. Destroying growths relieves pressure on organs and nerves and reduces pain.
- A pump that is placed under your skin may be used to deliver pain medicine directly to your spine. Because the drug goes right to your spinal column, not as much of it is needed. That usually means that side effects are not as severe.
- Nerve blocks usually are used only after other treatments have not worked. A nerve block is a drug that is injected into or around a nerve to temporarily prevent the nerve from telling your brain about the pain. In some cases, deadening the nerve may not only reduce the pain but also lower the amount of medicine you need.
What to think about
Radiation treatments may cause side effects, such as diarrhea and fatigue. The type of side effects that may develop depend on your cancer diagnosis, the area of your body that is affected, and the type of radiation that you have. You can use home treatment measures for diarrhea and fatigue to help you manage these side effects.
Nerve blocks can cause loss of feeling or, in rare cases, paralysis in the affected area or in the tissue surrounding the area.
