By Dr. Magdalena Kerschner
Cancer affects millions of lives each year, and managing the associated pain remains a critical component of comprehensive cancer care. As we observe Cancer Control Month, it’s essential to highlight the advances in pain management that can significantly improve patients’ quality of life throughout their cancer journey. From traditional approaches to cutting-edge therapies, a wide range of solutions exists to help patients effectively manage cancer-related pain.
Cancer pain can stem from various sources—the tumor itself pressing on organs, nerves, or bones; surgical procedures; or side effects of treatments like chemotherapy and radiation. Each patient’s experience is unique, requiring personalized approaches to pain management. Fortunately, medical science continues to evolve, offering more effective and less debilitating options than ever before.
Medication management remains the cornerstone of cancer pain treatment. The World Health Organization’s three-step pain ladder provides a framework for physicians, starting with non-opioid medications for mild pain and progressing to stronger opioid medications for moderate to severe pain. Adjuvant medications such as antidepressants, anticonvulsants, and corticosteroids can enhance pain relief by addressing specific pain mechanisms.
Interventional techniques offer targeted relief when medications alone prove insufficient. Nerve blocks, which involve injecting anesthetics near specific nerves, can interrupt pain signals. For patients with localized pain, particularly in the spine, vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty procedures can stabilize and strengthen weakened vertebrae, significantly reducing pain and improving mobility.
Radiation therapy, traditionally used to shrink tumors, also serves as an effective pain management tool. Focused radiation can reduce tumor size, alleviating pressure on surrounding tissues and nerves. For patients with widespread bone metastases, systemic radiopharmaceuticals deliver radiation directly to cancer cells throughout the skeletal system.
The integration of complementary therapies into conventional pain management plans has shown promising results. Acupuncture, massage therapy, and guided imagery can help reduce pain perception and decrease reliance on medications. Physical therapy maintains strength and function, while occupational therapy helps patients adapt to changing abilities, both contributing to pain reduction through improved body mechanics.
Psychological approaches acknowledge the complex interplay between physical pain and emotional well-being. Cognitive-behavioral therapy helps patients develop coping strategies and reframe negative thought patterns associated with chronic pain. Mindfulness-based stress reduction techniques have demonstrated effectiveness in reducing pain intensity and improving quality of life for cancer patients.
Emerging technologies are revolutionizing cancer pain management. Implantable pain pumps deliver medications directly to the spinal fluid, providing relief with lower doses and fewer side effects. Neurostimulation devices use electrical impulses to interrupt pain signals before they reach the brain, offering non-pharmaceutical options for patients with refractory pain.
Cancer Control Month reminds us that effective pain management is not just about alleviating physical discomfort but about preserving dignity, independence, and joy in patients’ lives. A multidisciplinary approach combining pharmacological, interventional, psychological, and complementary therapies offers the best chance of successful pain control. By continuing to advance our understanding of cancer pain mechanisms and developing innovative solutions, we move closer to a future where no cancer patient must suffer unnecessarily from pain.
Dr. Kerschner
Dr. Magdalene Kerschner, a graduate of Wayne State University School of Medicine, completed her Anesthesiology residency at The University of Kentucky. Her experience in spine surgery anesthesia led to her specialization in chronic pain management. As a Board Certified Interventional Pain Physician, Dr. Kerschner believes that while pain is undeniable, suffering is optional. She aims to help patients reclaim their joy through interventional techniques and complementary therapies.
Dr. Kerschner stays involved with professional societies to keep up with medical advancements. She served as Vice President of Ohio Interventional Pain Physicians Society and is an active member of Ohio Medical Association’s Substance Abuse Committee. She contributed to the development of Ohio’s HB 93, known as “The Pill Mill Bill,” which led to the closure of illegal pain clinics.
Her compassionate work extends internationally. Dr. Kerschner has participated in medical missions with World Medical Mission in Kenya, worked alongside Mother Teresa in Calcutta, and served in Brazil, the Philippines, and Belize. She received a Humanitarian Award from the Philippine government for her contributions.
Dr. Kerschner’s Scotty Dog Foundation has awarded numerous high school scholarships in Southwest Ohio and surrounding areas.
In her practice, Dr. Kerschner emphasizes individualized treatment plans, recognizing that each patient has unique needs. She believes in using good judgment to determine the most beneficial procedures, medications, and therapies for each patient. Dr. Kerschner and her staff prioritize spending ample time with patients during consultations, ensuring they have opportunities to ask questions and fully understand their treatment options.
When your pain is under control you can get back to living the way you are used to. Exercise, eat healthy, and enjoy life to the fullest. At Advanced Pain & Spine Institute we are more than just a doctor’s office, we are friends that are ready to help you get your life back.
Advanced Pain & Spine Management
239.307.7087
www.apsiwellnessnaples.com
9975 Tamiami TR N # 1, Naples, FL 34108