Cancer pain

Living with cancer pain isn’t easy. It can invade every part of your life, making it difficult to eat, work, sleep or enjoy time with family and friends. At the Orlando Health Neuroscience Institute, we understand the frustration and anger that comes with dealing with pain that can accompany brain tumors, surgeries and other treatments. Our multidisciplinary specialists offer the most advanced treatments and therapies for managing cancer pain, through the Brain and Spine Tumor Center at the Orlando Health Cancer Institute. Our compassionate team will work with you to develop a care plan that will help you get the most out of life.

Symptoms

Brain tumors create a wide range of symptoms, depending on the type, location and size of the tumor, which can press against blood vessels, nerves and organs. Discomfort also can be caused by cancer treatments, including surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. These procedures can suppress your immune system, making you susceptible to infections and other painful conditions. This can cause:

Diagnosis

Diagnosing your cancer-related pain starts with a physical examination by your doctor, who will seek to learn more about your symptoms and medical history. Your doctor may also recommend advanced imaging options, including:

Bone scan

Radioactive material is injected into your bloodstream. The test can identify tumor locations and whether they are spreading to other organs.

Computed tomography (CT) scan

These scanners use multiple X-ray images compiled with the help of a computer to create highly detailed 3D images of your brain.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Powerful magnets and radio waves are used to create detailed images of your brain.

Ultrasound

Sound waves are used to produce images of the brain.

Treatment

At the Orlando Health Neuroscience Institute, we offer a broad range of pain management options for brain cancer patients. Depending on your own unique situation, options include:

Anti-seizure medication

There are several options to help control these unwanted bursts of electrical activity in the brain.

Pain relievers

These can be particularly useful against headaches caused by tumors pressing against sensitive areas of the brain. They also help manage side effects from chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Palliative care

You may benefit from a range of non-medical treatments, including yoga, meditation, acupuncture, biofeedback and massage.

Steroids

These can be used to reduce painful brain swelling.

Clinical trials

Our team participates in clinical trials that can offer our patients early access to promising treatments and therapies to manage pain.

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