New Brunswick, N.J., September 1, 2023 — For many people living with cancer and undergoing treatment, some degree of pain is inevitable, and children are no exception. Pain is widely understood to be both a sensory and emotional experience. Karen Long-Traynor, PhD, clinical psychologist in the Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Program at Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, shares more about pain in children and interventions that support pain management through all phases of cancer treatment.
What can cause pain in my child with cancer or sickle cell disease?
Cancer pain arises from both the disease and its treatment. Tumors may press on bones, nerves, or other organs causing significant pain and the tumor itself may release chemicals that cause pain. For those with blood cancer (not a solid tumor), cancer cells can clump in the bone marrow and form a mass which presses on nerves or joints. Treatments, including chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery can also cause pain sometimes lasting long after treatment is complete.
Sickle cell disease is an inherited disorder of the red blood cells. Normal red blood cells are shaped like a doughnut. In patients with sickle cell disease, the red blood cells are rigid and shaped like a sickle or banana which prevents free travel through the blood vessels. This results in a tendency for the red blood cells to clump together and get stuck. This blockage prevents oxygen from getting to where it needs to go which can lead to episodes of severe pain and tissue and organ damage. In addition, individuals can develop chronic pain in between these flare ups caused by a variety of related factors.
What are some ways to manage this pain?
In addition to medical treatment and physical therapy, psychological interventions have been shown to significantly reduce the amount of pain a child experiences. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy are both evidence-based treatments for pain which incorporate a combination of behavioral and psychological strategies to reduce pain and improve overall functioning. This may include relaxation training and activity planning, changing the way one approaches thoughts and feelings related to pain, and addressing other social factors that can trigger pain.
How can I work with my child’s doctors to address their pain?
It is important to tell your healthcare team if your child has pain, so they can determine the cause and work with you to create a plan to decrease the pain as much as possible. The Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Program at Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, the state’s leading cancer program and only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, together with RWJBarnabas Health provides help from specialists who tend to all aspects of care for the patient and family.
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