Sometimes, procedures and treatment for cancer are more painful than the disease itself. This can be difficult for parents and children to understand. But we can work with you and your child so it doesn't hurt so much. Your child may have other distressing symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, itching, tiredness, or depression, and controlling them is very important. Talk to your child's nurse or doctor about how to make these problems better.
Many children have some pain before cancer is diagnosed.
It is often pain that brings a child to the doctor. Disease pain is almost always due to pressure from the cancer cells on a part of the body. As these cells are removed with treatment, the pain usually disappears. Disease pain may come back if the cancer cells return. This pain is usually short-lived, because the next cancer treatment will get rid of the cells that are causing the problem.