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Stage 4 lung cancer - back pain

GatsbyG
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Looking for some guidance.  My Dad was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer in June. He is currently undertaking immunotherapy, four sessions to date. He has a preexisting issue with a nerve in his back that has caused him pain for which he has received treatment. Before the cancer diagnosis he still had mild back pain.

Now the pain in his back has worsened to the extent that it has brought him to tears, not something I have ever witnessed. My Dad is the kind of person that shrugs of any distress so this has made us very concerned. He has been proscribed increasing doses of morphine which are having less and less effect.

My question is : can the pain be attributed to his advancing cancer or is it the preexisting condition?

Challenging to answer I know, but I would appreciate any guidance or places to look for further info.

Thanks in advance.

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    Hello GatsbyG, 

    I am sorry to hear about your dad's stage 4 lung cancer diagnosis and that he has suffered so much pain in his back and that this pain has worsened so much recently. It's  a shame that the pain relief he has been prescribed is having less and less effect - perhaps you could mention this to his medical team as he should not be in so much pain or suffering so much. I hope that they find adequate pain relief for him. It's difficult to know really whether this pain can be attributed to his advanced cancer, the pre-existing condition in his back or perhaps a combination of both. Your dad's consultant will be able to tell you more about this so feel free to ask them at your dad's next appointment. The information on our website on treating cancer pain may also be of interest to you and give some helpful advice. 

    There is information on our website on advanced lung cancer which may be useful to you and if you wanted to talk things through with our cancer nurses, feel free to give them a call on this free number 0808 800 4040 - their line is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm. 

    I hope that you will hear from other members of our community who have been in a similar situation before and that they will share their experience with you. 

    Best wishes, 

    Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator

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