Biostimulation Techniques for Cancer Pain Management

Abstract

Cancer pain, unlike chronic benign pain, is almost always associated with a specific pathological lesion. That lesion may result from tumor invasion, pressure on a viscus, infiltration of vessels, bony involvement, surgical scarring, or the effects of radiotherapy. Like chronic benign pain, cancer pain may be associated with behavioral aberrations that may cloud the perception of the actual pain, occasionally resulting in amplification of perceived pain. Superimposed on those behavioral features of chronic cancer pain are some intrinsic features which may further augment the patient’s perception of pain. Those features include despair, doom, and death issues. Like chronic benign pain, the most effective approach for dealing with chronic cancer pain is to utilize a multidisciplinary approach.