First, it is important to recognize that not all people with cancer experience pain. If pain is present, it can be caused by a variety of factors, including some that have nothing to do with cancer. It is not necessary for you to know the cause of your pain to receive treatment, but knowing more may help you to feel in control of the situation. Alerting your doctor immediately about any pain you are having makes treatment more effective. Cancer-Related Pain Pain caused by the actual cancer generally falls into two categories.
Nociceptive pain is caused by damage to tissue.
It is usually described as sharp, aching, or throbbing pain. It is often due to cancer that is growing larger, cancer that has spread to the bones, muscles or joints, or a blockage of an organ or blood vessels. Neuropathic pain happens when there is actual nerve damage. It may be caused by a tumor pressing on a nerve or a group of nerves. People sometimes describe this pain as a burning or heavy sensation, or numbness.