Ketamine Treatment for Cancer Pain
Ketamine Treatment for Opioid Resistant Cancer Pain
Ketamine therapy offers rapid relief for patients suffering from chronic pain conditions and mood disorders. It has recently been proven to be an effective supplemental treatment for patients with opioid-resistant cancer pain.
Ketamine Wellness Infusions PA offers ketamine therapy for patients with cancer pain. Continue reading to learn more about cancer pain and traditional treatment options to learn if ketamine therapy is a viable option.
Living with Cancer Pain
Cancer is a genetic disease where the body’s cells grow uncontrollably and spread to other parts of the body. The disease disrupts the body’s natural cell destruction and renewal process, creating abnormal cells at a fast rate, and causing tumors to form. It is estimated that 39.5% of people will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lifetime.
Some of the most common types of cancer in the United States are breast, lung, prostate, colon, melanoma of the skin, leukemia, and lymphoma. Each type of cancer progresses to different stages.
Four Stages of Cancer
As cancer progresses, it is classified into four stages:
- Stage 1: Cancer forms in a small and controlled location. The disease has not spread to lymph nodes or other important tissues at this stage.
- Stage 2: Cancer has grown in its location, but has not spread.
- Stage 3: Cancer has grown larger and spread to lymph nodes and other important tissues.
- Stage 4: Advanced cancer. The disease has grown and spread to other organs and areas of the body.
In 2022, it is estimated that 1.9 million new cancer cases will be diagnosed. Of those 1.9 million, 609,360 will die from the disease.
Signs, Causes, and Symptoms of Cancer
The more the body is exposed to an unhealthy lifestyle, toxins, radiation, smoking, or tobacco use, the more likely the body is to develop cancer.
As cancer develops, the body begins to show signs of the disease such as:
- Unusual lumps
- Chronic fatigue
- Fever
- Unusual bleeding or bruising
- Unexpected weight loss or weight gain
- Enlarged lymph nodes
- Thickening or lumps on the body
- Cough or hoarseness that doesn’t go away
- Change in bowel habits
- Vision or hearing problems
The most noticeable sign of cancer is chronic or neuropathic pain that develops suddenly without reason and gets worse over time. On average 50-90% of patients develop cancer pain in their lifetime.
What Does Cancer Pain Feel Like?
Cancer pain can be dull, burning, sharp, and/or achy depending on type and severity. It is estimated that 20% of all cancer pain begins neuropathically.
Pain from cancer can happen as the disease begins to grow and destroy nearby tissue. Tumors also cause pain by pressing on bones, organs, and nerves. Surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation can also cause pain.
Traditional Treatment Options
Over-the-counter pain relievers, opioids, prescription medications, and integrative therapies are used to alleviate pain from cancer.
Opioids are the most effective form of treatment. They rapidly treat patients with moderate or severe cancer pain and also have no detrimental effect on organ function.
While opioids have a high success rate in treating cancer pain, they do not always help every patient. In recent years, ketamine therapy has been a treatment option used in conjunction with patients with opioid-resistant cancer pain.
How Does Ketamine Treat Cancer Pain?
Recently, ketamine has been used as a supplemental treatment for cancer and neuropathic pain unresponsive or poorly responsive to opioid treatment.
Ketamine blocks the NMDA receptor and stops the transmission of peripheral pain signals to the brain. With prolonged blockage during ketamine infusion therapy, the brain “reboots” and stops interpreting peripheral stimulation as pain.
The first few treatments of ketamine therapy are utilized to help patients stabilize their cancer pain. Unlike other traditional treatment options, patients may feel positive effects from ketamine within the first treatment and find relief for weeks after.
See if Ketamine Therapy is a Viable Treatment Option for Reducing Your Opioid-Resistant Cancer Pain
Patients with opioid-resistant cancer pain who are struggling with pain management should consider ketamine infusion therapy as a supplement to their current treatment plan.
Ketamine Wellness Infusions PA is revolutionizing palliative care for cancer patients in Philadelphia, Doylestown, and Bala Cynwyd through low-dose ketamine infusion treatments to provide comfort and quality of life at any stage of cancer.
Our professionals are available to answer any questions about treatment options and work with your healthcare provider to create a plan that revolves around increasing your quality of life and pain management.
Contact our team to set up a consultation or to learn more about ketamine therapy for cancer pain today. We’re looking forward to helping you achieve better days ahead.