why is there pain in squamous cell carcinoma?

Question

I'm working on care plan of a patient with maxillopharyngeal squamous cell CA, with a nursing diagnosis of pain... thanx for helping!!:)

Answer 1

A cancer of skin hurts because skin is rich in pain receptors. Both the healthy tissue and the cancerous tissue report lots of pain associated with the disfigurement of skin tissue.

Brain cancer, on the other hand, is relatively painless because brain tissue lacks pain receptors. It won't hurt until it gets big enough to exert physical pressures on the surrounding tissues. By the time it starts hurting, it's usually too late.

In a way it is more fortunate to have a skin cancer because it hurts right away and letting you know that something has gone terribly wrong.

Answer 2

Ca Maxilla is very painful,
Sq cell Ca has a tendency to erode into the surrounding structures, in this case maxillary and other facial bones.
Bones have a very rich nerve supply and hence paina lot, in fact bone pain is a really severe form of pain.
Other soft tissues around the disease like cheek, mucosal lining of maxillary sinus, is rich too in nerves hence pain.

start with Nsaid drug like Brufen, can increase dose, if it doesnt help use mild opioid like codeine, if that doesnt help, morphine is desirable, pl do so with consultation of your oncologist

Answer 3

I would have to say that the reason there is pain with squamous-cell carninoma is because, although squamous (the cells which constitute the majority of skin tissue), is because the cells are laden with nerve-endings...and highly sensitive nerve-endings to say the least. Just the sightest touch with your finger-tips, for example, are felt.