Neuropathic pain in cancer
"At its core, almost every specialty deals with pain management. Pain is usually the first symptom," explains Dr. Branea.
One of the most severe forms is neuropathic pain, which occurs when a tumor affects or comes into contact with nerves, causing intense and difficult-to-control pain.
Interventional therapy for pain control
In cases where pain is very severe, interventional pain therapy can be an option for reducing the transmission of pain signals.
"When we face extremely severe pain, we try to interrupt the nerve signal, like an electrical cable," says the doctor.
However, procedures must be carefully evaluated, as interventions on nerve structures can involve risks, including impairment of motor function.
Chronic pain and the impact on quality of life
Chronic pain affects not only the patient's physical state but also their functionality and psychological balance. Therefore, oncological pain management requires a multidisciplinary approach, which may include collaboration between physicians, psychologists, and psychiatry specialists.
"Chronic pain can significantly affect patients' functionality and quality of life," emphasizes Dr. Branea.
Pain therapy, an important part of oncological care
Pain control must be integrated into the care of the cancer patient, with the goal of reducing suffering and maintaining, as much as possible, quality of life and patient functionality
Author
Dr. Ionuț Branea
Specialist in Anesthesiology and Intensive Care
Dr. Ionuț Branea is a specialist in Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, with additional training in Interventional Pain Management and is a member of the ARAI training team.
