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Pathophysiology of Cancer Pain

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Abstract

Cancer pain is difficult to treat and a terrible malady for those suffering from cancer. Pain related to cancer is unique and may be related to the anatomic location of the tumor, the pathophysiology of the tumor, or the treatment of the cancer. The cause of the pain is multifactorial and may be somatic, visceral, neuropathic, or mixed in nature. Given the complexity of cancer pain, it is critical to assess the pathophysiology of the cancer and its role in creating a pain syndrome. Adequate control of pain may improve the patient’s quality of life through improved mood, functional status, and rest. As new therapies evolve, the treatment of cancer-related pain will continue to evolve as well, with the potential to create a new paradigm of treatment for our patients.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Pain Medicine, Northwell Health Phelps Hospital, Sleepy Hollow, NY, USA

    Stephen Lawrence Thorp

Authors
  1. Stephen Lawrence Thorp
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Correspondence to Stephen Lawrence Thorp .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA

    Amitabh Gulati

  2. Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA

    Vinay Puttanniah

  3. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA

    Brian M. Bruel

  4. Midwest Neuroscience Institute, Center for the Relief of Pain, Kansas City, MO, USA

    William S. Rosenberg

  5. Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA

    Joseph C. Hung

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Thorp, S.L. (2019). Pathophysiology of Cancer Pain. In: Gulati, A., Puttanniah, V., Bruel, B., Rosenberg, W., Hung, J. (eds) Essentials of Interventional Cancer Pain Management. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-99684-4_3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-99684-4_3

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-99682-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-99684-4

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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