Cancer pain is complex and can result from tumor pressure, bone involvement, nerve damage, inflammation, surgery, radiation, or other cancer treatments, making proper evaluation essential for effective relief. At Integrative Sports & Spine, our physicians provide individualized cancer pain evaluation and treatment that complements and coordinates with each patient's oncology care. With locations in Long Beach, Alhambra, Riverside, and City of Industry, we help patients manage pain, maintain function, and improve quality of life throughout their cancer care journey.
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Ultrasound-guided joint injection procedures are completed in a single visit with no downtime required.
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Most patients can resume normal activities within 24 to 48 hours, depending on the treatment performed and individual response.
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Locations Available
Cancer Pain Treatment is available at our Southern California clinics - Long Beach, Alhambra, Riverside, and City of Industry.
Cancer patients who experience new or changing pain should always communicate thesechanges to their oncology team and pain management physicians. While most pain changes incancer patients represent fluctuations in the underlying condition that can be addressed througha scheduled appointment, certain new symptoms in a cancer patient require urgent rather thanroutine evaluation because they may indicate complications with serious or irreversibleconsequences if not recognized promptly.
Seek Prompt Medical Evaluation If You Experience:
Cancer patients may experience several types of pain at once, including pain caused by the tumor, cancer treatments, or musculoskeletal changes from reduced activity and altered movement. A specialized evaluation helps identify the specific sources of pain so treatment can target the underlying cause rather than simply managing symptoms.
Many patients rely on opioids and other medications that can cause sedation, constipation, nausea, cognitive effects, and other side effects. Targeted treatments such as nerve blocks, joint injections, and soft tissue procedures can provide relief closer to the source of pain and may reduce the amount of systemic medication needed.
Cancer pain can change during chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, remission, disease progression, or rehabilitation. An effective treatment plan should change with it, allowing physicians to adjust medications, introduce targeted procedures, and shift treatment goals as the patient's condition evolves.
Cancer pain management should work alongside oncology care. Our physicians consider chemotherapy, radiation, immune function, platelet counts, wound healing, and treatment schedules when planning procedures and communicate with the oncology team when appropriate.
Bone Pain from Cancer InvolvementBone metastases can cause constant, deep aching pain with sharper pain during movement or weight-bearing. Common sites include the spine, pelvis, ribs, and long bones. Treatment may include medication, radiation coordination, and procedures such as vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty for painful vertebral fractures.
Nerve Pain from Tumor InvolvementTumors that compress or invade nerves can cause burning, shooting, or electric-like pain with numbness or tingling. Treatment may include nerve blocks, neuromodulation, and appropriate medications.
Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral NeuropathyCIPN can cause burning, tingling, and numbness in the hands and feet during or after chemotherapy. Severe cases may affect balance, hand function, and sleep. Treatment may include medications, physical therapy, and targeted interventions.
Post-Surgical Cancer PainPain can persist after cancer surgery, including post-mastectomy, post-thoracotomy, and phantom limb pain. These conditions may cause burning, aching, sensitivity, or nerve-related pain and may respond to targeted nerve treatments.
Radiation-Related PainRadiation can cause short- and long-term pain from inflammation, skin changes, fibrosis, nerve damage, or bone complications. Treatment depends on the affected tissues and may require ongoing pain management.
Visceral Cancer PainCancer affecting abdominal or pelvic organs can cause deep, poorly localized pain that may spread to other areas. Treatments such as celiac plexus neurolysis or superior hypogastric plexus blocks may provide targeted relief for selected patients.
Preparation Guidelines
Initial ConsultationYour first appointment is a comprehensive evaluation that takes time to complete thoroughly.The physician reviews your cancer history, current oncology treatment, prior pain management,and all available imaging before performing a focused physical examination of the affectedregions. Diagnostic musculoskeletal ultrasound is used at the initial visit where appropriate toassess soft tissue and joint pain sources and guide the planning of any injection procedures.The evaluation concludes with a clear discussion of the identified pain generators, the treatmentplan designed to address them, the realistic goals of that plan for your specific situation, and thecoordination steps needed with your oncology team. You leave the first appointment with a clearplan and a clear understanding of what to expect from it.
Interventional Procedure Preparation
Procedure Experience•
Post-Procedure Recovery
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Ongoing Management
Individualized Pain EvaluationCancer pain can have multiple causes. Our physicians evaluate tumor-related, treatment-related, nerve, and musculoskeletal pain to identify the specific sources and develop a targeted treatment plan.
Coordination With Your Oncology TeamCancer treatments can affect medication choices, blood counts, healing, and procedure timing. We coordinate with your oncology team to help ensure your pain treatment fits safely within your overall cancer care.
Targeted Interventional OptionsWhen appropriate, nerve blocks, joint injections, soft tissue injections, and other interventional treatments may help target specific pain sources and reduce reliance on systemic medications.
Treatment That Adapts With Your CareCancer treatment and pain can change over time. We adjust your pain management plan as your cancer treatment, symptoms, function, and goals change.
Cancer pain refers to pain caused by cancer itself or its treatment. It may result from bone involvement, nerve compression, organ involvement, chemotherapy-related nerve damage, surgery, or radiation. Because cancer pain can have different causes, treatment should be tailored to the specific pain syndrome.
Cancer pain can result from tumor growth affecting bones, nerves, or organs. Treatment can also contribute through chemotherapy-induced neuropathy, surgery-related nerve pain, radiation effects, hormonal therapies, or corticosteroid-related muscle and bone changes. Identifying the underlying cause helps guide treatment.
There is no single best treatment. The appropriate approach depends on the source and mechanism of pain. Treatment may include medications, physical therapy, nerve blocks, joint or soft tissue injections, radiation for certain cancer-related pain, or other targeted interventions when appropriate.
Yes. Many cancer pain conditions can be managed without surgery through medications, physical therapy, supportive care, nerve blocks, and other minimally invasive procedures. More advanced procedures are reserved for patients with specific indications.
Yes. Chemotherapy can cause peripheral neuropathy, while surgery and radiation can produce persistent pain or nerve-related symptoms. Some hormonal therapies can also cause joint and muscle pain. Identifying treatment-related pain allows for more targeted management.
Yes. Depending on the cause, treatment may include medications for neuropathic pain, targeted nerve blocks, physical therapy, or neuromodulation. The potential for improvement depends on the extent and cause of the nerve injury.
Yes. Certain patients may benefit from nerve, joint, or soft tissue injections. Before an injection, physicians consider factors such as platelet counts, immune status, injection location, and the timing of cancer treatment.
The timeline varies by treatment. Some nerve blocks can provide relief shortly after the procedure, while medications and physical therapy may take longer to produce meaningful improvement. Your physician can explain the expected timeline for your specific treatment.
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Vertebral metastasis-related spine pain
"After my breast cancer spread to my spine, back pain was affecting my sleep and daily life. The physician reviewed my imaging, explained the source of my pain, and created a targeted treatment plan. After an injection and activity program, my pain is manageable and I am sleeping again."
Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy
"After chemotherapy, severe burning in my feet made walking difficult. The team identified the type of nerve pain, adjusted my treatment, and helped me with balance and sensory retraining. The burning is significantly reduced, and I have not fallen."
Post-mastectomy pain syndrome and axillary pain
"After my mastectomy, persistent burning under my arm made it difficult to sleep. Once I learned it was a recognized postsurgical nerve pain syndrome, I finally understood what was happening. A nerve block significantly reduced the burning and helped me sleep comfortably again."
Cancer pain does not have to be something you simply live with. At Integrative Sports & Spine, we provide individualized cancer pain evaluation and treatment in coordination with your oncology care, with a focus on reducing pain, improving sleep and function, and supporting quality of life. We serve patients in Long Beach, Alhambra, Riverside, and City of Industry. If you or a loved one is experiencing cancer-related pain that is not adequately controlled, we are here to help.
Call (833) 476-7377 or click the appointment button below to schedule a consultation at any of our four Southern California pain clinic locations.
Our interventional pain management services include the full range of minimally invasiveprocedures used in cancer pain, including nerve blocks, joint injections, and coordination ofaccess to advanced options including intrathecal drug delivery for refractory cancer pain.
View MoreFor patients with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy and other cancer treatmentrelated nerve pain, our neuropathy treatment program provides medication management,physical rehabilitation, and targeted interventional options for neuropathic pain that is notadequately controlled by standard approaches.
View MoreCancer-related pain often persists beyond active cancer treatment into survivorship. Our chronicpain treatment program addresses persistent post-cancer pain syndromes including postsurgical neuropathic pain, late radiation effects, and other long-term pain consequences ofcancer and its treatment.
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