1. Who gets cancer and what is cancer pain?
Unfortunately, too many people in the United States develop cancer for a variety of reasons. The cancer tissue invades bones, nerves, organs, and other structures in the body. The pressure or the destruction of normal tissue may cause severe pain.

2. What kind of pain is associated with cancer?
Cancer pain should be viewed as a symptom, which may be present alone or in combination with other benign processes.

a)  New Cancer pain secondary to direct tumor growth, diagnostic-therapeutic procedures, surgical post-operative pain, chemotherapy and radiation induced pain and other pains associated with cancer such as headaches and muscle aches.
b)  Metastatic pain and Cancer - Progression pain.
c)  Chronic Benign pain; New or pre- existing ( eg. Arthritis; Back Strain, Spinal Stenosis).

3. What should I do if my doctor tells me I have cancer?
You should regularly see and listen to your Doctors advice. Your doctor should provide you with adequate pain medicine and other treatments for your disease. Most of your pain should be controlled but if it is not you should talk to your doctor and discuss with him your expectations versus what he can do for you. It is very important for the family to be involved.

4. My pain is still not controlled - what should I do?
Tell your doctor that you would like to be referred to a Board Certified Pain Management Doctor. Tell your doctor you are not leaving his care but you need the assistance of a Pain specialist.
You do not have to suffer with severe pain.

5. What Pain therapies can the Pain Specialist provide?
We provide a careful history and physical evaluation of each patient. We know that each patient is an individual with different needs. We listen to and believe the patients complaint of pain and discuss treatment options. Therapy may consist of:

a) Similar treatments offered by your Doctor but we may refine this therapy. This may consist of the addition of Opioid-narcotics, sedatives, and other special medications used in pain treatment.

b) We may recommend more chemotherapy or radiation therapy or surgery to shrink the tumor and decrease the pain. c) We may perform precisely placed Pain Control Injections at the source of the pain designed to diagnose, treat and relieve the pain. We will treat both the Cancer pain and any associated pain as needed

Advanced pain control techniques may include placing very fine soft plastic tubes into the spine so that tiny drops of anesthetic and narcotic medicine can be given continuously to decrease or eliminate the pain. If it is effective it can be made permanent by implanting the catheter. Implantation of a computer programmed pump to safely deliver the exact amount of medicine without the need for further injections and significant reductions in oral pain medication can be performed with relative ease.

Pain relief is almost immediate!
This new technology is available now to help you with your pain. Brochures and Video information are available.

6. Will I become addicted to the narcotic?
Absolutely not. If you have real pain whether it is from cancer or benign pain you should not fear that you will become an addict, you will not. It is no longer acceptable to deny patients appropriate narcotic therapy for fear of addiction. Narcotic Tolerance may develop but Your Pain Management Doctor will carefully guide your therapy so it is safe, effective, and in your best interest.

7. Are there other Pain therapies?
Yes and we can guide you to those therapies, such as Surgical pain relief, Acupuncture, Hypnosis, Biofeedback and Psychological therapy and other Alternative therapies.

8. What are the goals of Pain therapy?
We will provide you with the greatest pain relief possible, help you cope with any residual pain, increase your ability to function, and improve the quality of your life. We are available throughout the course of your illness. You may wish to discuss the risks and benefits of Injection and Implantable Therapy with your Pain Doctor.

Your Pain Doctor and staff will provide you the best care possible with honest concern and the maintenance of dignity.