The Importance of Pain Relief for Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a rare cancer caused by asbestos that can affect the pleura (lining of the lungs), peritoneum (abdominal lining), or pericardium (heart lining).
Many patients aren’t diagnosed with mesothelioma until the disease has progressed to advanced stages. By this time, tumors may have started to press against other organs. This can lead to cancer pain in the chest or abdomen.
Mesothelioma pain can significantly impact your well-being. Effective mesothelioma pain management can help patients achieve the quality of life they deserve.
Approximately 50-60% of mesothelioma patients experience significant pain during their illness, according to a report in Lung Cancer: Targets and Therapy. If you are struggling with pain, know that help is available.
Key Facts on Mesothelioma Pain Management
- Chest pain is the most common symptom.
- Pain can be a side effect of mesothelioma treatment.
- Palliative care and alternative therapies can help manage pain.
- Mesothelioma pain management can help patients live a more normal life.
Managing mesothelioma pain is crucial to improving your quality of life and allowing you to focus on what truly matters: your treatment, recovery, and time with loved ones.
Get our Free Mesothelioma Guide to learn more about your pain relief options, including palliative care and alternative treatments.
Causes of Mesothelioma Pain
Mesothelioma pain stems from the cancer itself and how it affects the body. It can also be caused by side effects from mesothelioma treatments.
- Fluid buildup and pressure from pleural effusions can cause mesothelioma chest pain or abdominal swelling.
- Metastasis, or the spread of cancer throughout the body, can cause bone and muscle pain.
- Tumors may cause pain as they grow and touch other nerves or put pressure on nearby organs.
Much of the pain relief for mesothelioma comes from treating the cancer, including treatment to shrink or remove the tumors and alleviate the pressure they cause.
However, mesothelioma pain treatments should be selected based on the type and cause of the pain.
Types of Mesothelioma Pain
Patients can experience mild to severe pain, depending on the stage of their mesothelioma.
The main types of mesothelioma pain include:
- Acute pain: The most common pain type, these symptoms will appear suddenly, feel sharp, and last only a short time.
- Breakthrough pain: Patients in later mesothelioma stages may experience this type of pain, which happens suddenly, is severe, and may not respond to medications.
- Chronic pain: Common among all cancer patients, this type of pain is steady and ongoing, but easier to manage than other types.
- Nerve pain: Also called neuropathic pain, this is typically caused by nerve damage. Nerve pain may feel like shooting, tingling, or burning sensations.
No matter what type of pain you’re experiencing, Mesothelioma Hope is here to help. We can provide personalized resources and guidance on effective pain management strategies tailored to your needs. Call (866) 608-8933 to connect with one of our mesothelioma nurses today.
Symptoms of Mesothelioma Pain
It’s important to tell your medical team about any painful mesothelioma symptoms so they can help you manage them.
Common mesothelioma pain symptoms include:
- Abdominal pain
- Aches near your rib cage
- Back pain
- Chest pain
- Difficulty swallowing
- Facial swelling
- Muscle and body aches
- Painful coughing
- Shortness of breath
Once these symptoms are identified, the next step is exploring the best pain management methods for your needs.
Palliative Care for Mesothelioma Pain
Palliative care focuses on improving your overall wellness through better nutrition, whole-body treatment, and pain management.
Here are some ways mesothelioma treatments may be used in palliative care.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy can be used to shrink mesothelioma tumors and reduce pain. This differs from typical mesothelioma chemotherapy, which often aims to remove the tumor and rid the body of mesothelioma as much as possible.
Palliative chemotherapy for pain management may be given in a lower dosage and may take place over a shorter timeline than traditional chemotherapy.
Radiation Therapy
Palliative radiation therapy, or radiotherapy, works well to reduce tumor size and decrease pain levels. It is most often used this way in patients with pleural mesothelioma.
“If that tumor is pressing on vital organs or nerves and causing pain, your doctor may want to go in and do radiation first to shrink that tumor.“
Not everyone is a candidate for palliative radiation. However, many patients who receive radiation therapy will experience some level of relief from their mesothelioma pain.
Surgery
There are a number of surgical procedures that may help with mesothelioma pain.
Here are the most common surgeries:
- Paracentesis: This procedure drains fluid from the abdominal cavity in peritoneal mesothelioma patients.
- Pericardiocentesis: A procedure that drains fluid from the heart lining in patients with pericardial mesothelioma.
- Pleurodesis: Another procedure that drains the fluid buildup from the pleural space, this option can also help prevent pleural effusions.
- Thoracentesis: This is a thoracic or chest surgery that works to drain the fluid in the pleural space (lung lining), offering pain relief.
- Cordotomy: A last-resort procedure where a surgeon severs spinal cord nerve endings to block pain signals.
If you’re looking for expert guidance on pain management, our Free Doctor Match service can connect you with top mesothelioma specialists in your area.
Advanced Mesothelioma Pain Management
Managing mesothelioma pain usually starts with medications tailored to the type and intensity of pain. As pain escalates, a combination of pain management techniques may be necessary.
Over-the-Counter Pain Medication
Doctors almost always suggest non-opioid pain relievers first. These include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen, as well as acetaminophen.
Over-the-counter (OTC) pain treatments often work for mild pain in the early stages of mesothelioma or lung cancer. However, once pain worsens, you may need to combine an OTC pain reliever with a weaker opioid such as codeine.
Prescription Pain Medication
Prescription pain medications work to address more severe pain after major surgery or in the later stages of mesothelioma when tumors have started to press on nearby organs.
Common pain medications prescribed to mesothelioma patients include:
- Anticonvulsants: Drugs like gabapentin (Neurontin®) and pregabalin (Lyrica®) are often prescribed for nerve pain.
- Opioids: The type and dosage you’ll receive depends on your pain level. Commonly used opioids include morphine, fentanyl, and oxycodone.
- Topical lidocaine patches: These patches offer localized pain relief with the use of a numbing agent.
Opioids are prescribed to 70-80% of mesothelioma patients for effective pain control.
Nerve Blockers and Steroids
Mesothelioma doctors may also inject patients with anesthetics, anti-inflammatory steroids, or a combination of the two to treat pain.
These are called nerve blockers, and they work by shutting off the receptors that may send pain signals. Nerve blockers are especially helpful for patients with mesothelioma back pain.
Alternative Treatments for Mesothelioma Pain
In addition to traditional pain treatments, many patients use alternative therapies for mesothelioma pain management. These holistic methods can complement conventional treatments and offer a different approach to reducing discomfort.
Some alternative treatments for mesothelioma pain include:
- Acupuncture: This ancient Chinese therapy involves inserting thin needles into specific points on the body, and has been used for centuries to alleviate pain and promote healing.
- Art and music therapy: Engaging in creative expression can provide emotional release and serve as a powerful distraction from pain, helping to ease symptoms.
- Breathing exercises: Also known as breathwork, these can regulate your breathing to help control pain and manage your response to it.
- Yoga: Gentle yoga can enhance mobility and decrease stiffness, which are common issues for patients undergoing cancer treatment.
Along with palliative care, these alternative treatments offer mesothelioma patients additional ways to manage their pain and live more comfortably.
Benefits of Pain Management for Mesothelioma Patients
The obvious benefit of pain management for mesothelioma is finding relief from pain. Yet experiencing reduced pain has a ripple effect.
Mesothelioma patients can experience a range of positive effects, including:
- Better prognosis (overall disease outlook)
- Decrease in other symptoms, such as loss of appetite
- Improved health, well-being, and quality of life
- Reduced stress and anxiety levels
These benefits highlight just how important pain management is in a patient’s treatment plan.
5 Tips for Managing Mesothelioma Pain
The best and most effective way to manage pain from mesothelioma is to keep in close contact with your doctor. They can help manage your pain as it comes and adjust medications and treatments as needed.
Here are 5 other tips for mesothelioma pain management:
- Track your pain symptoms and any side effects from new treatments or medications.
- Keep a journal of daily pain levels to see which pain relief methods work best.
- Ask a pharmacist for a second opinion on pain medication.
- Combine traditional treatments with alternative treatments for enhanced pain relief.
- Try increasing movement with exercises like walking, biking, or swimming.
By following these tips, you can take a proactive approach to mesothelioma pain management.
Get Help for Mesothelioma Pain
At Mesothelioma Hope, we’re dedicated to helping you at every stage of your treatment and recovery. Effective pain management provides relief and can enhance your well-being, potentially extending your life expectancy and improving your overall prognosis.
Our Patient Advocates can support you with:
- Access to top mesothelioma cancer centers
- Guidance on pain management strategies
- Information about clinical trials and cutting-edge treatments
- Connections to legal resources for compensation
“Connecting with a cancer center allows you access to a surgeon and oncologist, pain management, palliative care, a dietitian, and more.”
Reach out today to learn more about your options and take the first step toward pain relief.
Mesothelioma Pain Management FAQs
Is mesothelioma a painful cancer?
Mesothelioma is typically not painful in its early stages. However, as the disease progresses and mesothelioma tumors grow and spread, they can put pressure on nearby organs, causing pain.
Pain may also occur in mesothelioma patients due to fluid buildup in the lung lining or abdomen, or from muscle pain or bone pain due to cancer.
What are the signs someone is experiencing mesothelioma pain?
Signs of mesothelioma pain most often include pain in the chest or abdomen. It can also include shortness of breath, painful cough, or facial swelling.
What is the best treatment for mesothelioma pain?
The best treatment for mesothelioma pain management depends on what’s causing the pain. Ongoing pain that’s mild may be treated with an NSAID like ibuprofen.
Chronic pain may require daily management with a combination of pain medications, palliative care, and alternative treatments.
Pain from a major mesothelioma surgery can be severe and may require stronger prescription medications.
What surgeries can treat pain caused by mesothelioma?
There are a range of surgeries that can be used to treat pain associated with mesothelioma. Some include paracentesis, pleurodesis, and thoracentesis.
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