When patients receive a cancer diagnosis, they have many questions about the disease, and if they learn that they will receive chemotherapy, the first questions that come to mind are: Is chemotherapy painful, and how is it given?, concern about pain is natural because movies and television have given us many misconceptions about cancer patients and their pain, portraying their suffering in an exaggerated way. This article explains the correct concepts about chemotherapy and answers the main question: Is chemotherapy painful or not?
Is Chemotherapy Painful?
Many people diagnosed with tumors, whether bone tumors or other tumors, have one question: Is chemotherapy painful, and how is it given? The answer to the first question varies from one patient to another, but overall it may cause some pain or discomfort during or after treatment.
Some patients feel mild pain when receiving an injection or a subcutaneous injection, while others feel a slight burning sensation as the medication enters the body, but this pain eases during treatment.
Some chemotherapy drugs cause painful side effects, which vary by patient. These include nerve damage, burning, tingling, and sharp pain in the toes. Some drugs may also cause mouth sores, headaches, muscle pain, and stomach pain.
How Is Chemotherapy Given?
After discussing the first part of the question, Is chemotherapy painful, and how is it given?, we turn to the second part: how chemotherapy is administered. It is given through:
1. Intravenously
Most chemotherapy drugs are given intravenously in one of two ways. First, a needle is inserted into a vein in the arm. Second, a device (port) is implanted in a vein in the chest. The patient feels discomfort when the needle is inserted, but the treatment itself is not painful.
2. Orally
Some chemotherapy medications are available as tablets or capsules and are taken orally at home, but the doctor’s instructions must be followed very carefully.
3. Intramuscular or Subcutaneous Injection
Some chemotherapy medications are given by injection into a muscle or under the skin. In this case, the patient feels mild pain and tingling after the injection.
4. Injection Into the Spinal Fluid
In some cases, chemotherapy is administered directly into the spinal fluid. Is chemotherapy painful in this case? The answer is yes; the patient may feel discomfort during the procedure.
5. Topical Treatment
Topical treatment is usually used for skin cancers, and this method is generally not painful.
Does Chemotherapy Cause Pain After the Session?
Is chemotherapy painful after the session? Yes, chemotherapy may cause pain after the session. This pain varies from one patient to another according to the type of treatment, dose, and the patient’s health.
After the session, some medications may cause nerve damage, leading to pain in the form of numbness or tingling known as peripheral neuropathy which may harm daily life and affect normal movement activities such as writing and walking.
Medications such as Taxanes, which are used to treat ovarian cancer, interfere with the body’s normal cell cycle by affecting the microtubules that help transmit signals between nerves. Side effects therefore include numbness, reduced sensation, loss of feeling, and altered sensation. These symptoms appear days after the first dose and improve after treatment ends.
Vinca alkaloids, used to treat testicular and lung cancer, also cause neuropathy, with reduced sensation in the hands and feet, muscle weakness, and spasms. These symptoms appear in the first months of treatment and quickly disappear after it ends.
It is important for a patient with a bone tumor to report these symptoms after each session to the orthopedic oncologist who is following their case.
Potential Side Effects of Chemotherapy
According to MSKCC a cancer treatment center in New York, chemotherapy has several potential side effects, summarized as follows:
1. Fatigue
Fatigue is the most prominent and dominant feeling among people receiving chemotherapy, as though all energy has been lost. Fatigue ranges from mild to severe.
If you feel tired, you can rest or take a nap. You can engage in activities that make you feel comfortable, such as walking outdoors or using a treadmill. Do not exert yourself with too many activities, and ask for help if needed. Drink 8 to 10 cups of caffeine-free fluids daily.
2. Nausea or Vomiting
Some chemotherapy drugs stimulate the brain cells responsible for vomiting. In this case, you can take an anti-nausea medication prescribed by your doctor. Drink fluids and water normally, avoid caffeine, eat frequent meals, and reduce fatty foods as much as possible.
If you vomit more than five times within 24 hours, contact your doctor immediately. Also call if nausea does not improve and is accompanied by dizziness and heartburn.
3. Constipation or Diarrhea
Side effects include constipation or diarrhea. For constipation, eat water-rich foods that help bowel movement and remain active and walk. For diarrhea, ask your doctor about medications containing laxatives so they can be stopped and anti-diarrheal medication prescribed.
If you have constipation, meaning no stool or gas for more than two days despite trying natural fiber that helps the bowel, contact your doctor immediately.
4. Mucositis
Some chemotherapy drugs cause mucositis, which involves swelling, redness, pain, and mouth ulcers that may appear on the lips or tongue. It usually develops three to 10 days after chemotherapy.
You can reduce the effects of these ulcers by rinsing your mouth and using a mouthwash, preferably one without alcohol. Rinse for 20 to 30 seconds and then spit it out.
Avoid hard toothbrushes and use a soft brush for both teeth and gums. Do not eat acidic, spicy, or salty foods. Do not smoke, avoid hot foods, moisturize your lips regularly, and consult your doctor if the condition does not improve.
In conclusion, we answered the main question: Is chemotherapy painful, and how is it given? We covered important and necessary points about pain. Pain is not the same for everyone; it depends on factors such as the patient’s health, medication, and type of chemotherapy. It is preferable to consult your doctor. If you have a bone tumor or feel severe bone pain, you can visit Prof. Dr. Yasser Reda Center now.
