Bone Metastatic Cancer Pain
About Bone Metastatic Cancer Pain
Bone Metastatic Cancer is when cancer cells from a region spread to the bone causing too much bone to be made or broken down, as a result, it causes problems such as bone pain, nerve paralysis or hypercalcemia. While it can happen in all types of cancer, it is especially likely to happen in prostate cancer (18% to 29%), followed by lung, breast and colon cancer.
What Causes Bone Metastatic Cancer Pain
Metastatic cancer is primarily caused by the spreading of the cancer cells to the bones. Some experience it after cancer therapy, while others experience it at the beginning stage of cancer, there is no clear explanation on what causes it to affect certain individuals more than others. The following are some types of cancer that can cause bone metastatic cancer
- Breast cancer
- Liver cancer
- Colon cancer
- Lung cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Thyroid cancer
Symptoms Of Bone Metastatic Cancer Pain
Pain
Some other descriptions of Bone Metastatic pain include a dull, boring pain that worsens at night. Sharp pain can be precipitated by movement such as turning in bed or lying on the affected bony area, in the background of constant dull aching pain. Even without fractures, bone infiltration by the cancer cells will cause local inflammation and expansion within the bone matrix, giving rise to bone and joint pain.
Other Symptoms
When Should I Seek Medical Attention?
You should seek medical help when:
- Swelling of the wrist joint
- Persistent wrist pain from moving the thumb
- Inability to rotate the wrist
- Tenderness at the location of pain
A Message About Bone Metastatic Cancer Pain
The hallmark of metastatic bone cancer is nighttime pain, affecting one’s sleep. It will cause rest pain while lying down, which is contrary to evoked pain. Sleep interruption from pain is often taken as a prelude to further evaluation of the pain history, to exclude sinister causes of cancer pain.
This type of pain is often rated as the most distressing of all pain, with pain reported as 9/10 or 10/10 (10 being the worst pain possible). No position seems to provide any pain relief. Standard painkillers often are inadequate to cover the intense bony pain. There may be a need to cover multi-modal analgesia, including hydration to bring down the high calcium level.
In refractory difficult cancer pain, there is a need for advanced pain modalities such as chemical neurolysis or spinal morphine anaesthetic infusion. Patients who are not responding to opioids such as morphine or have too many side effects will benefit from these treatments.
Diagnosing Bone Metastatic Cancer Pain
Bone metastatic cancer pain can be discovered by indicators such as calcium level (hypercalcemia) or spinal compression, however, it requires adequate evidence and experience to diagnose the illness. Here at Singapore Paincare, our team of experienced primary care and specialist pain care doctors, together with the Oncologist, will conduct a thorough diagnosis. This includes a physical exam, questions about your symptoms and an evaluation of your medical history. An X-ray or CT scan may be needed to evaluate or confirm the degree of the illness.
What Treatments Are Available for Bone Metastatic Cancer Pain?
Treatment cannot cure bone metastatic cancer pain but it can relieve pain and improve your quality of life. Studies have shown that improved pain relief will have a direct impact on the life expectancy and longevity of the patient. Good pain relief will improve the overall immunity and energy level of the patient. At Singapore Paincare, we strive to treat your pain with the least invasive option possible after accurately identifying the cause. Our approach to pain resolution focuses on the removal of pain generators via specialised injection and minimally invasive procedures. Combined with pharmacological treatments, and cognitive and physical rehabilitative therapies, we help patients to improve functions and prevent pain from recurring.
Non-Surgical Treatments for Bone Metastatic Cancer Pain
Chemical Neurolysis
Endoscopic Resection
Endoscopic Resection is done when the cancer is diagnosed in its very early stages. The procedure does not require an incision in the skin, instead, an endoscope is used to probe into the stomach to remove the tumour or cancerous region.
Chemotherapy
Pharmacotherapy
Drugs and medications are an integral part of cancer treatment. Pharmacotherapy and targeted therapy introduce an array of drugs to boost the body and limit damage to the surrounding cells. Our specialists offer specialised treatments such as bisphosphonates (hormone therapy) which slows bone damage or radiopharmaceuticals (radioactive element drugs) that target cancer cells. Steroids are also used to reduce the bony swelling caused by metastatic bone filtration.
Immunotherapy
Radiation Therapy
Neurospan Radiofrequency Ablation
Radiofrequency ablation is the use of heat to remove structures, which can be a simple procedure to relieve pain. A one-time injection of radiofrequency ablation can stop the painful nerve from giving pain signal transmission. This may be repeated every 3 – 6 months.
Spinal Morphine Anaesthetic Infusion
Once the infusing catheter is placed within the correct level of the spine, the delivery of the medications can be made via a pump either externally or implanted internally. The amount of medications will be titrated according to each individual’s requirement.
Palliative Care and Dietary Management
Surgical Treatment for Bone Metastatic Cancer Pain
In the case that all methods are exhausted, surgery may be recommended. As surgery always comes with associated risks, complications and downtime, it may not be suitable for everyone. You should carefully weigh the decision before deciding to go under the knife by considering the pros and cons of both non-surgical methods and surgical reconstruction
Surgical treatment
If the bones have fractured, alternative surgeries such as reconstruction or the use of metal plates, screws, wires, nails or pins will be done to stabilize the structure.
How Can I Prevent Bone Metastatic Cancer Pain?
Doing a yearly health screening helps to detect cancer. In the early stages of cancer, systemic treatments may be prescribed in addition to surgery to reduce metastasis risks.
Get Your Pain Resolved
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