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Pain (PDQ®)
Patient VersionHealth Professional VersionEn españolLast Modified: 10/29/2008
Common Cancer Pain Syndromes Due to Nerve Injury

Pain Syndrome   Associated Signs and Symptoms   Affected Nerves 
Tumor infiltration of a peripheral nerve Constant burning pain with dysesthesia in an area of sensory loss. Peripheral nerves
Pain is radicular and often unilateral.
Postradical neck dissection Tight burning sensation in the area of sensory loss. Lower cranial nerves
Dysesthesias and shocklike pain may be present.
Musculoskeletal pain may be caused by a drooped-shoulder syndrome. Cervical plexus
Postmastectomy pain Tight, constricting, burning pain in the posterior arm, axilla, and anterior chest wall. Intercostobrachial
Pain exacerbated by arm movement, possibly caused by musculoskeletal dysfunction or edema.
Postthoracotomy pain Aching sensation in the distribution of the incision with sensory loss with or without autonomic changes. Intercostal
Often exquisite point tenderness at the most medial and apical points of the scar with a specific trigger point in the muscle.
Postnephrectomy pain Numbness, fullness, or heaviness in the flank, anterior abdomen, and groin. Superficial cutaneous nerves
Dysesthesias are common.
Postamputation pain Persistent, severe phantom limb pain in a minority of patients. Peripheral nerves and their central projections
Stump pain generally resolves with wound healing, although pain associated with scar sensitivity may emerge after months or years.
Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy Painful paresthesias and dysesthesias. Peripheral nerves (e.g., polyneuropathy)
Hyporeflexia.
Less frequently: motor and sensory loss; rarely: autonomic dysfunction.
Commonly associated with the vinca alkaloids (e.g., vincristine, vinblastine), cisplatin, and paclitaxel.
Peripheral nerve tumors Radiation therapy may promote malignant fibrosarcoma. Peripheral nerves
Painful, enlarging mass in a previously irradiated area.
Patients with neurofibromatosis more susceptible.
Cranial neuropathies Severe head pain with cranial nerve dysfunction. Cranial nerves V, VII, IX, X, XI, XII are most common.
Leptomeningeal disease.
Base of skull metastasis.
Acute and postherpetic neuralgia Painful paresthesia and dysesthesia. Thoracic and cranial nerve V are most common.
Constant burning and aching pain.
Shocklike paroxysmal pain.
Immunosuppression from disease or treatment is a risk factor; postherpetic neuropathy incidence increases with age.


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