Prostate Cancer Pain

Relief from prostate cancer pain can be achieved through steroids, second-line hormonal therapies, and painkillers. Surgery can be helpful in opening a blocked urinary tract. Radiation can be used in prostate cancer pain relief to ease pain caused by bone metastases. The key to finding the right method for you is to tell your doctor the extent and severity of your pain.

 

An Overview of Prostate Cancer Pain

Pain is a possible problem for people with prostate cancer. Whether you have pain and the amount of pain you have depend on:
 
  • The type of prostate cancer
  • The stage (extent) of the disease
  • Your pain threshold (tolerance for pain).
 
For people with prostate cancer, pain can be caused by a number of things, including:
 
  • A tumor that is pressing against nerves, bones, or other organs near the prostate gland or urinary tract
  • Prostate cancer treatment itself
  • Things not related to the cancer, such as headaches or muscle pain.
     

Options for Reducing Prostate Cancer Pain

The patient's doctor or a specialist in pain control can relieve or reduce prostate cancer pain in several ways, including:
 
  • Certain types of medicine
  • Alternative treatments
  • Radiation
  • Nerve block.
 
For most people, medicine and alternative treatments are able to reduce prostate cancer pain.
 
Medicines
Medicines can often relieve pain associated with prostate cancer. Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist for advice before you take any medicine for pain. Medicines are only safe when they are used properly. You can buy effective pain relievers without a prescription or doctor's order. These medicines are also called nonprescription or over-the-counter pain relievers. For others, a prescription from your doctor is necessary.
 
Although these medicines may make people drowsy and constipated, resting and taking laxatives can help. Also, many people worry that they will become addicted to pain medicine. This is rarely the case.
 
Your healthcare provider may also recommend steroids and other "second-line" hormonal therapies to help with pain.
(Prostate Cancer Pain Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD