Bone pain is generally characterized by a dull ache that's well localized and increases with weight-bearing or at night. The pain is generally constant, gradually increasing in intensity also it gets worse with movement. If cancer has spread towards the spine, even breathing hurts.
Bone pain might be hard to differentiate from ordinary low back pain or arthritis. Usually the pain because of bone metastasis is rather constant, even during the night. It can be worse in different positions, for example standing, which might compress cancer in a weight bearing bone. If pain can last for more than a couple of weeks, doesn't appear to be going away, and it is unlike other pain that may have been experienced, it ought to be evaluated by a physician.
Bone pain could be the result of direct tumor involvement. Pain is produced once the tumor infiltrates the skeletal structures. The tumor may compress surrounding arteries, nerves, and soft tissue, or might be activating nociceptors (pain receptors) located to begin. Pain can also be a result of tissue compression brought on by fibrosis (a condition brought on by an increase in tissue) following the patient has undergone radiation therapy ; this type of bone pain tends to be tolerable. A predominant supply of bone pain in the cancer patient is due to pathologic fracture and to osteoclast-induced bone resorption by the tumor. This condition promotes bone loss and, at the same time, provides growth factors for the tumor to improve in size.
Bone pain in patients with cancer is commonly caused by cancer cells that have spread to the bones, called bone metastases. Bone pain is often the first symptom of bone metastases and could lead to tests that will confirm the diagnosis. Strategy to bone pain is supposed to relieve the pain, treat fractures, reduce the risk of fracture, and prevent or delay additional bone complications. Treatments include pain medications, bisphosphonate drugs, radiation therapy, and/or surgery.
Treatment of bone pain is principally aimed at treating the primary disease resulting in the pain. In infections, transient synovitis, and rheumatic fever, no specific treatment is necessary for the bone pain, which resolves spontaneously in the end. However, in some diseases, like osteoarthritis, bone cancer, and so forth, this is not possible. In such situations, palliative treatment in the form of local steroid injections or oral analgesics, form the mainstay of treatment.
Comprehensive control over bone pain includes non-clinical choices. Patients should be encouraged to participate in complementary therapies, plus some patients might want to investigate more alternative therapies. More conventional complementary therapies may include relaxation and imagery therapy, cognitive distraction and reframing, support group and pastoral counseling, skin stimulation, biofeedback, nerve blocks, immobilization and stabilization techniques, and surgical intervention. Less well-defined alternative therapies can include acupuncture, body massage with pressure and vibration techniques, hypnosis, menthol preparations, and holistic or herbal medical practices. No conclusive data exist of the effectiveness of those therapies used alone; however, along with conventional methods of bone pain management, they don't appear to hinder therapy and could provide the patient with increased goodwill and a positive outlook.
