Ask a Doc: Breast cancer patients have alternative pain management option after surgery
One procedure temporarily blocks nerves that send pain signals to the brain, thereby reducing pain without the use of narcotics
Dr. Vivek Iyer
Special for The Republic | azcentral.com
September 2, 2016
Question: Aside from narcotics, is there an alternative option for alleviating pain associated with breast cancer surgery?
Answer: According to the National Cancer Institute, pain is one of the most common symptoms cancer patients face. Studies have shown that reducing or controlling the level of pain patients experience may lead to better outcomes. Patients also have a tendency to heal more quickly.
Traditionally, following surgery, doctors give patients narcotic pain medication through an IV to manage their pain. When the patient goes home, many of them are prescribed that same narcotic in a pill form.
For some breast cancer patients, we are working to avoid the use of narcotic pain medication by utilizing a procedure called paravertebral nerve blocks. This procedure temporarily blocks nerves that send pain signals to the brain, thereby reducing pain without the use of narcotics.
By using this procedure, we can reduce narcotic pain medication usage and, therefore, we can potentially eliminate the side effects that often come along with narcotics, which may include nausea, constipation, drowsiness, or even addiction. The paravertebral blocks are inserted just before a patient’s breast cancer surgery. Because of the location of the paravertebral space, patients do not have to undergo an epidural or spinal injection.
The catheter is then connected to a ball, which continuously drips local anesthetic or numbing medication into the desired location. This will help block pain for three to four days following surgery.
Patients are able to leave the hospital sooner to go home and rest, having the same level of pain control as they did at the hospital, thereby improving their overall recovery time. Your stories live here.
Dr. Vivek Iyer is the Interventional Pain Management Specialist at Cancer Treatment Centers of America at Western Regional Medical Center in Goodyear. To reach him, email vivek.iyer@ctca-hope.com or visit his website at BetterPainControl.com.