Pain Management During Cancer Treatment

Nobody should suffer in silence. Modern pain management can control cancer-related pain in 90% of cases. Here is what is available in India and how HealOnco approaches it.

Why Pain Happens in Cancer

Cancer causes pain through several mechanisms: the tumour pressing on nerves, bones, or organs; inflammation from the immune response; side effects of treatment (chemotherapy neuropathy, surgical pain, radiation burns); and secondary causes like infection or muscle tension from immobility.

Pain is not a sign that treatment is failing. Many effective treatments cause temporary pain. The goal is to manage pain so you can eat, sleep, move, and continue treatment. Reporting pain early and honestly helps your team adjust the plan before it becomes severe.

WHO Pain Ladder

The World Health Organization’s three-step pain ladder guides treatment: Step 1 uses non-opioid analgesics (paracetamol, NSAIDs) for mild pain. Step 2 adds mild opioids (tramadol, codeine) for moderate pain. Step 3 uses strong opioids (morphine, fentanyl) for severe pain. Adjuvant drugs (gabapentin for nerve pain, steroids for inflammation) are added at any step.

In India, opioid access remains challenging despite improvements. The NDPS Amendment Act (2014) simplified procurement, but many states still have restrictive policies. HealOnco ensures adequate opioid availability for patients who need it, with proper documentation and follow-up.

Non-Drug Approaches

Complementary methods work alongside medications: physiotherapy and gentle exercise reduce stiffness and improve mood; heat/cold therapy provides local relief; relaxation techniques and guided breathing lower overall pain perception; acupuncture has moderate evidence for chemotherapy-induced neuropathy.

Psychological support matters. Anxiety and depression amplify pain perception. Counselling, mindfulness, and support groups can measurably reduce the amount of pain medication needed.

Interventional Procedures

For pain that does not respond to medications alone, interventional options include: nerve blocks (coeliac plexus block for pancreatic cancer pain), intrathecal pumps for continuous spinal delivery, radiation to painful bone metastases (single fraction provides relief in 60-70% within 2 weeks), and vertebroplasty for spinal compression fractures.

Cost of Pain Management in India

Basic oral analgesics: INR 200-500/month. Tramadol: INR 300-800/month. Oral morphine: INR 500-1,500/month. Fentanyl patches: INR 2,000-4,000/patch (changed every 72 hours). Nerve blocks: INR 10,000-30,000 per procedure. Palliative radiation: INR 15,000-40,000 per course. Most pain can be well-controlled for under INR 2,000/month with oral medications.

Frequently Asked Questions