Cancer Pain: Cause

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Cause

Cancer pain may be caused by the cancer or by the treatments and tests used. Cancer treatment does not always cause pain. But out of every 10 adults with cancer, between 1 and 3 of them report having pain caused by the treatment. Out of every 10 children with cancer, as many as 6 report having pain caused by treatment.¹

Pain may also be caused by an infection, such as shingles, that may develop because of the cancer or its treatment. The kind of pain may vary depending on the cause. The first step in managing your pain is understanding what is causing it.

Pain from the cancer itself can happen when:

• A cancer growth, or tumor, presses on bones, nerves, or organs.
• Cancer cells spread to the bone and destroy it.
• A tumor presses on the spinal cord, causing pain in the back, legs, or neck.
• A tumor causes organs to swell or be blocked. For example, a bowel obstruction can be caused by a tumor.

Because some cancer spreads far and fast, treatments have to be strong. As a result, they often cause pain and other side effects that require more treatment. Pressure on or damage to a nerve may cause tingling or burning. Treatments such as surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy may also cause pain.

Last updated:	October 30, 2007
Author:	Shannon Erstad, MBA/MPH
Reviewed By:	Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine, Michael Seth Rabin, MD - Medical Oncology
Editors:	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Pat Truman, MATC