Treatment Overview

You are the only one who knows how your cancer pain feels. You may need different combinations of treatments. Don't be surprised if your pain control plan needs to be changed often. Don't let that discourage you. Be honest and specific about what does and does not work for you. Staying on top of your pain and in control of your pain will improve your quality of life during every stage of your disease.

Nonprescription drugs

Drugs that you can buy without a doctor's prescription may be enough to relieve your pain at times. Acetaminophen, such as Tylenol, relieves pain, while other drugs such as ibuprofen and aspirin relieve pain and also decrease swelling. But talk with your doctor before you take these medicines. And don't take more than the label says unless your doctor tells you to.

Prescription drugs

Drugs that need a doctor's prescription may be stronger or work differently than nonprescription drugs. Follow your doctor's orders about taking them. Prescription drugs include:

• Anti-inflammatory drugs and corticosteroids.
• Bisphosphonates and other medicines, to slow bone changes related to cancer.
• Opiate pain relievers.
• Drugs for depression, to treat burning pain. Plus they can help you sleep.
• Certain drugs for seizures, to help control nerve pain, like burning and tingling.

Medicines for breakthrough pain

This is extra medicine for when strong pain comes on suddenly. These prescription medicines are usually fast-acting opioids given by mouth, such as morphine or oxycodone. Or you may be given fentanyl in a nasal spray or in lozenges that dissolve under your tongue.

Other treatment options

Medical treatments can help relieve pain from tumors and nerve pain.

• Ways to shrink, remove, or destroy painful tumors include:
  • Surgery.
  • Chemotherapy.
  • Radiation.
  • Hormone therapy.
  • Radiofrequency ablation, which uses heat to destroy the tumor.
• Ways to treat nerve pain include:
  • Surgery to cut the nerves that relay pain.
  • Nerve blocks to help with very bad pain.
  • Pain medicine delivered to the spine. This can be done by:
    • Spinal anesthesia, which delivers pain medicine directly to the spine.
    • An epidural, which delivers pain medicine to the nerves around the spine.

Non-medical ways to relieve pain are often used along with pain medicine. These include:

• Physical treatments, such as physical therapy, light massage, heat or cold, and braces or splints. Other treatments include transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS), in which a mild electrical current from a power pack is used to relieve pain.
• Stretching, yoga, and exercises to help you keep your strength, flexibility, and mobility.
• Behavioral treatments, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), relaxation, biofeedback, meditation, or guided imagery.
• Short-term crisis therapy or cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) with a counselor. This may help you manage your cancer pain or the discomfort from cancer treatments.
• Education and emotional support. Your doctor can refer you to the social services department of your local cancer treatment center or hospital.
• Complementary therapies, such as acupuncture, aromatherapy, prayer, and humor therapy.

For more information about what you can do, see:

Cancer: Controlling Cancer Pain.

For more information about pain, see the following information from the National Cancer Institute:

Pain (PDQ): Supportive Care – Health Professional Information [NCI]

Pain (PDQ): Supportive Care – Patient Information [NCI]

Palliative care

Your doctor may talk to you about palliative care. This is medical care that provides an extra layer of support for people who have serious and chronic illnesses. It can improve quality of life for you and your family. With palliative care, you have the help of a medical team to manage your symptoms, pain, and stress.

For more information, see the topic Palliative Care.