Spinal Cord Compression

Tumors that originate or spread to the spinal column can compress the spinal nerve and cause pain, numbness, and weakness. Pain from spinal cord compression may radiate to other parts of the body or present as axial pain, characterized by a severe mid-back ache.

Local or Regional Cancer Pain

Tumors or cancer can cause intense pain in the areas of the body they affect, no matter where they are found. The consistency and intensity of a person’s pain often vary depending on the staging of their cancer and the level of metastasis. Patients with tumors or cancer that compress nerves innervating large areas of the body can experience radiating pain in those regional areas as well.

Treatment Associated Pain

• Surgical Pain
  After the removal of tumors, patients may experience pain during surgical recovery. If this pain does not pass after the expected healing window, patients may suffer from a more chronic condition such as Post-Mastectomy Syndrome or Failed Back Surgery Syndrome that can result after the removal of a tumor on the spine.
• Peripheral Neuropathy
  Chemotherapy can cause damage to the nerves resulting in pain, burning, tingling, or weakness. Peripheral Neuropathy can also be caused by a tumor compressing a nerve.
•  Neuritis Radiation treatment for cancer may cause damage to the nerves called neuritis. Neuritis is the inflammation of the nerves that requires specialized treatment and pain management.

Your BSSNY neurosurgeon will consult with each patient and his/her oncologist to understand current staging, treatment plans, and the origin of their pain to find the best way forward. He listens to concerns and ensures he understands each patient’s goals to help them choose the right next step in controlling their pain.

Advanced cancer pain treatments include:

• Intrathecal pain pumps
• Spinal Cord Stimulation 
• Peripheral Nerve Stimulation
• Ablative neurological procedures
  • Cordotomies
  • Myelotomies
• Radiofrequency (RF)
• Ultrasound
• Cryotherapy