Pain With Pancreatic Cancer

Pain with pancreatic cancer can be the result of a tumor that is pressing against nerves and other organs near the pancreas. Pain associated with the cancer can be the result of treatment. Doctors may recommend pain medicine, radiation therapy, or a nerve block to reduce pain with pancreatic cancer. Members of the healthcare team may also suggest alternative methods of pain relief, such as massage therapy, acupuncture, and relaxation techniques.

Pancreatic Cancer Treatments

Pain With Pancreatic Cancer: A Summary

People with pancreatic cancer may experience pain as a result of their disease. Pain can be the result of a tumor that is pressing against nerves and other organs near the pancreas, or it may be a side effect of pancreatic cancer treatment. In order to relieve or reduce pain associated with pancreatic cancer, doctors may use pain medicine, radiation therapy, or a nerve block.

Pain Medicine

Doctors may recommend the use of pain medicine to relieve pain with pancreatic cancer. While these medicines may make people drowsy and constipated, resting and taking laxatives can help.

Radiation

Radiation treatment can help relieve pain with pancreatic cancer by shrinking the tumor. Radiation therapy can be administered with or without chemotherapy.

Nerve Block

Doctors may inject alcohol into the area around certain nerves in the abdomen to block the pancreatic cancer pain. This procedure is called a nerve block.

Pain With Pancreatic Cancer: Alternative Treatments

Doctors may suggest alternative treatments to relieve or reduce pain that often develops with pancreatic cancer. These alternative treatments may include:

Massage therapy
Acupuncture
Acupressure
Relaxation techniques.