Neuropathic Pain following Breast Cancer Surgery

saluki

I ran across this article while at my RSDS support base and I thought this article may answer som questions reqarding
Breast Cancer and Neuropathic pain.

Its a good article with well respected members of the involved fields

http://www.rsds.org/2/library/article_archive/pop/neuropathic_pain_post_breast_cancer.pdf

tidepool

Good article..thanks

TenderIsOurMight

Here are a few points from the paper for those who may want a quick summary.

Neuropathic pain: defined as pain ‘initiated or
caused by a primary lesion or dysfunction in the nervous
system’ (Merskey and Bogduk, 1994), has been the focus of
greater clinical attention and research effort because it is
considerably more common.

Table 2
Classification of chronic neuropathic pain syndromes following breast cancer surgery.

Syndrome Description
1.Phantom breast pain: Sensory experience of a removed breast that is still present and is painful (footnote a)

2.Intercostobrachial neuralgia (includes post-mastectomy pain syndrome) Pain, typically accompanied by sensory changes, in the distribution of the
intercostobrachial nerve following breast cancer surgery with or without
axillary dissection

3.Neuroma pain (includes scar pain) Pain in the region of a scar on the breast, chest, or arm that is provoked or
exacerbated by percussion

4.Other nerve injury pain Pain outside the distribution of the intercostobrachial nerve consistent with
damage to other nerves during breast cancer surgery (e.g. medial and lateral
pectoral, long thoracic, thoracodorsal, and other intercostal nerves)

Footnote a.To be distinguished from non-painful phantom breast sensations.

Authors: B.F. Jung et al. / Pain 104 (2003) 1–134

The paper applies to upper body lumpectomy and mod mastectomy surgical, radiation and chemotherapy induced neuropathic pain. It does not discuss other areas of the body affected by one's cancer treatment.

Thanks Saluki, it's a good read. Maybe we can post more on neuropathic pain, especially autonomic nervous system complicated pain when and if we find a paper. And of course there's always chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy pain. And reflux sympathetic dystrophy pain.

Chronic pain regrettably has major impact on daily life. I know it has compromised my family significantly ( my ability to drive my kids to school, go to their events, etc, cook a healthy dinner, bend at the middle while doing the laundry, food shop, light clean etc.). Sounds droll, and you have to suck it up, but it's real and a major drag. The side effects of the treatment drugs are almost as bad as the pains themselves. I know there are women and men here who live in daily discomfort, and I just wish to say I feel for you. Truly!

Thank you so very much, Saluki.
Tender