Chronic Neuropathic Pain In Women After Breast Cancer Treatment - David Emerson

Chemo-induced neuropathic pain and chronic pain after mastectomy are common side effects that can affect a breast-cancer survivor for life. “PMPS is a type of chronic neuropathic pain syndrome that can occur after breast surgery. It is typically associated with nerve fiber injury, but there may be other etiologies. It may be the result of trauma to the nerves during surgery or as a result of scar tissue,” explained Susan Boolbol, MD, associate professor of surgery at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and chief of breast surgery at Mount Sinai Beth Israel. Houman Danesh, MD, director of the division on integrative pain management at The Mount Sinai Hospital said, “Symptoms typical of neuropathic pain include burning, tingling, and lancinating pain in the area of surgery. This pain has been described as throbbing, aching or shooting. Although the pain can range from mild to severe, approximately ten percent of patients describe the pain as severe enough to significantly compromise their quality of life.”

• Susan Boolbol, MD, Associate Professor, Surgery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Chief, Breast Surgery, Mount Sinai Beth Israel
• Houman Danesh, MD, Assistant Professor, Anesthesiology, Rehabilitative Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Director, Division of Integrative Pain Management, The Mount Sinai Hospital
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