How to Assess Pain in Metastatic Breast Cancer
After a diagnosis of breast cancer, every pain is alarming. Knowing the difference between cancer and non-cancer pain can aid you in understanding what to do.
Metastatic breast cancer (advanced, stage IV) is where cells travel beyond breast tissue and lymph nodes to other areas of the body, growing and multiplying there. All breast cancer has the potential to spread to other body parts. The most common regions of metastasis are bone, lung and liver.
When cancer has spread, experiencing pain is common, and further evaluation is crucial.
- Difficulty:
- Moderate
Instructions
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The Source of Pain
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First Steps
Metastatic disease is frightening. Every twitch and ache can send your imagination into overdrive. Do not prolong the anxiety. It's important to ease your mind and validate your concerns. Discuss any changes in your breasts or body and all new or persistent pain with your doctor. Be prepared to provide details: when did the pain begin, where is it located, is it constant or intermittent? This information will help your practitioner decipher the cause, which is the first step to treatment and peace of mind. -
2
Breast Pain
Only about 10 percent of women diagnosed with breast cancer experience breast pain as a symptom. However, you may experience moderate to severe pain due to inflammatory breast cancer--cancer in the skin around the tumor. Pain may also arise from a tumor-related ulcer or sore in the skin of the breast. If you do experience breast pain and it gets worse, see your doctor. -
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Skeletal Pain
All bones can host cancer cells. If cancer has spread to the bones, it may surface as back pain or hip pain. The pain may initially be dull and infrequent, and worsen in time. Spinal cord involvement may show up as severe or radiating back pain with arm/leg weakness. -
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Visceral Pain
When cancer affects the internal organs the surrounding soft tissues may become painful. For metastasis to the lungs or adrenal glands pain may present as chest pain or a dull ache in the back. If the liver becomes infected, pain may begin in the upper right abdominal area. -
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Other Causes of Pain
At times, cancer treatment can cause pain. For example, radiation or hormone therapy for bone metastasis can cause the cancer to temporarily swell, putting pressure on the bone's nerve supply. Additionally, surgery, chemotherapy, recovery or even non-cancerous breast changes (i.e. fibrocystic tissue changes, hormonal changes, or infection) can cause pain.
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Tips & Warnings
Realize that further medical testing will be necessary to determine the source of the pain. Be prepared for possible blood tests, X-rays, ultrasounds, MRI, etc. These are the only ways to know for sure what is going on.
Never ignore persistent pain, even if it's tolerable. Pain is your body's way of telling you that something is wrong--get it checked out.
