Is There Pain With Liver Cancer?

Your doctor will discuss various options of cancer treatment with you. Some of these treatments help reduce the pain. These include

• Anti-inflammatory medications

For mild to moderate pain in liver cancer, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, are preferred. Corticosteroids, such as dexamethasone, may be administered if NSAIDs do not provide adequate relief.

• Anesthetic medications

An anesthetic medication numbs the area where it is injected and thus, helps lessen the pain. In the case of liver cancer, the anesthetic medication is injected into the nerves near the liver. This is also referred to as nerve block.

• Narcotic painkillers

These are strong painkillers that are reserved for severe kinds of pain, such as cancer. They work by blocking the pain impulses of the nervous system. As these are known to cause addiction, they are not available as over-the-counter medications. You can get them only if they are prescribed by a doctor.

• Radiation therapy

Radiation therapy involves focusing powerful and high-energy beams on liver cancer to destroy the cancer cells and shrink the tumor. The decrease in the size of the tumor may help relieve the pressure on the diaphragm and nearby structures. This helps in reducing the pain from liver cancer.

• Alternative therapies

There are reports of patients reporting relief in cancer pain and improved quality of life with alternative therapies that include

• Acupuncture: This is an integral part of Chinese medicine. It involves locating some points on your body and inserting small needles into them for a few seconds to minutes. 
• Acupressure: Acupressure also uses similar principles as acupuncture. However, instead of needles, pressure is applied on the points to relieve the pain.
• Relaxation therapies: Some may benefit from relaxation therapies, such as
  • Massage
  • Meditation
  • Deep breathing
  • Yoga
  • Listening to music