How Painful Is Cancer Pain?

The causes of cancer pain can be divided into physical factors and psychological factors, with the physical factors mainly falling into three categories:

① Pain directly caused by tumors accounts for approximately 88%; this includes tissue destruction, compression, obstruction, tension, tumor ulceration with infection, etc.

② Pain resulting from cancer treatment accounts for approximately 11%; examples include radiation-induced neuritis, stomatitis, dermatitis, and osteoradionecrosis. Herpes zoster may develop after radiotherapy or chemotherapy, causing pain. Extravasation of chemotherapeutic agents leading to tissue necrosis, chemotherapy-induced thrombophlebitis. Postoperative conditions such as incision scarring, nerve damage, and phantom limb pain also contribute.

③ Pain indirectly caused by tumors accounts for approximately 1%. For instance, localized infections due to compromised immunity can lead to pain. Additionally, bone metastases from cancers such as prostate, lung, breast, and thyroid cancer can cause severe bone pain.

Based on patients' descriptions of their pain, the intensity of pain can be categorized into three levels: mild, moderate, and severe.

Mild pain: Pain is present but tolerable, normal daily activities, sleep not disturbed

Moderate pain: Pain is noticeable, intolerable, requires analgesic medication, sleep is disturbed

Severe pain: Pain is excruciating, intolerable, requires analgesic medication, sleep is severely disturbed, may be accompanied by autonomic nervous system disturbances or forced positioning

Hello everyone, I am Hu Fengshan, Chief Physician of the Oncology Department at Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine affiliated with Capital Medical University in Beijing. I have been working in the diagnosis and treatment of tumors for over 30 years and have developed my own experience and understanding of tumor-related issues. I have treated nearly 200,000 patients. If you or someone close to you—friends or family—has:

1. Breast Cancer

2. Thyroid Cancer

3. Lung Cancer

4. Colorectal Cancer

5. Gastric Cancer

6. Liver Cancer

7. Pancreatic Cancer

8. Cervical Cancer

9. Ovarian Cancer

10. Breast Nodules

11. Thyroid Nodules

12. Tumor Issues Such as Pulmonary Nodules