Cancer Pain Management in Salt Lake City, UT
Cancer pain can make every step of your treatment journey harder than it needs to be. At Olympus Spine and Pain, Dr. Warner brings rare, specialized expertise to cancer pain management — having completed advanced fellowship training at MD Anderson Cancer Center, the largest cancer treatment center in the world. His mission is to help you maintain the best possible quality of life while you focus on fighting cancer. Call our Salt Lake City, UT office at (801) 930-0092 or request an appointment online today.
request an appointmentWhat Is Cancer Pain?
Cancer pain refers to any pain caused by or directly related to cancer or its treatment. As tumors grow, they can press on bones, organs, nerves, and soft tissues, generating significant inflammation and pain. Cancer pain can also arise as a side effect of cancer treatments, including:
- Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) — nerve pain in the hands and feet caused by certain chemotherapy agents
- Radiation-related pain — tissue inflammation and nerve irritation from targeted radiation therapy
- Post-surgical pain — pain following cancer-related surgeries, which can sometimes become chronic
- Bone pain — caused by cancer that has spread to the bones
The experience of cancer pain is highly individual. It may present as a constant dull ache, sharp stabbing pain, burning sensations, or intense pressure. Managing cancer pain effectively is not just about comfort — it allows patients to better tolerate their treatments, sleep, eat, and maintain emotional well-being throughout their cancer journey.
Who Provides Cancer Pain Management at Olympus Spine and Pain?
Dr. Keith Warner is uniquely qualified to manage cancer pain. As a triple board-certified physician in anesthesiology, cardiothoracic anesthesiology, and interventional pain medicine, he brings a depth of training that is rare in private pain management practices. His fellowship at MD Anderson Cancer Center — where he treated patients from around the world with both common and rare pain syndromes — gives him firsthand experience with the full spectrum of cancer-related pain.
Dr. Warner’s personal experience with cancer pain, having watched his father battle a terminal illness, also informs the depth of compassion he brings to every patient encounter. He understands that cancer pain is not just a physical experience — it is deeply emotional, and every patient deserves to feel truly heard and supported.
When Should I Seek Cancer Pain Management?
You should consider specialized cancer pain management if your pain is interfering with your daily life and your current pain relief approach is no longer adequate. Specific signs that it may be time to seek specialized care include:
- Pain that is constant or worsening despite standard pain medications
- Pain that prevents you from sleeping, eating, or carrying out basic activities
- Burning, shooting, or electrical pain that suggests nerve involvement
- Pain that is limiting your ability to continue cancer treatments
- Side effects from pain medications that are creating additional problems
You do not have to reach a crisis point before seeking help. The sooner cancer pain is addressed with a comprehensive, specialized plan, the better your outcomes are likely to be. If your pain involves nerve damage, our neuropathy and foot pain and Scrambler Therapy pages contain additional information on how we address neuropathic pain.
How Does Cancer Pain Management Work?
At Olympus Spine and Pain, cancer pain management is always individualized. Dr. Warner works closely with your oncologist and other members of your care team to ensure that your pain treatment plan complements — and does not interfere with — your cancer treatment. Depending on your cancer type, tumor location, pain severity, and treatment status, your plan may include:
- Lifestyle modifications and supportive care strategies
- Physical therapy to maintain strength and mobility
- Optimized oral medication management
- Epidural steroid injections for spinal or radicular pain
- Nerve block injections to disrupt specific pain pathways
- Neurolysis — a procedure to destroy pain-transmitting nerves for prolonged relief
- Spinal cord stimulation (SCS)
- Intrathecal drug pump for continuous, targeted pain medication delivery
- Ketamine infusions* for complex or refractory cancer pain
- Scrambler Therapy — a non-invasive option particularly effective for chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain
Cancer pain management is an evolving process. As your cancer treatment progresses, your pain needs may change, and Dr. Warner adjusts your plan accordingly. His goal is to give you the best quality of life at every stage of your journey — because you deserve to feel as well as possible, not just survive.
*Ketamine infusions are FDA-approved as a sole anesthetic agent for diagnostic and surgical purposes, but are not yet approved for chronic pain treatment. Spravato®, an esketamine nasal spray, has FDA approval for addressing treatment-resistant depression.
Cancer Pain Management — Frequently Asked Questions
Is cancer pain always severe?
Cancer pain varies widely depending on the type of cancer, its location, and the stage of disease. Some patients experience mild discomfort while others face severe, debilitating pain. Cancer pain can range from a constant dull ache to sharp, shooting, or burning sensations. The nature of the pain helps guide Dr. Warner’s treatment recommendations.
Can cancer pain management interfere with cancer treatment?
When managed by a specialist like Dr. Warner, cancer pain management is designed to complement — not interfere with — your cancer treatment. Dr. Warner coordinates with your oncologist to ensure that all pain management interventions are safe and appropriate given your overall treatment plan.
What is chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN)?
CIPN is a type of nerve damage caused by certain chemotherapy drugs. It commonly presents as burning, tingling, numbness, or sharp pain — usually in the hands and feet. It can significantly affect quality of life and your ability to tolerate continued chemotherapy. Dr. Warner offers several treatments for CIPN, including Scrambler Therapy and peripheral nerve stimulation, which have shown strong results in clinical studies.
What is neurolysis, and when is it used for cancer pain?
Neurolysis is a procedure in which nerve tissue responsible for transmitting pain is deliberately destroyed using chemicals or heat. It is used for severe cancer pain that has not responded adequately to other treatments, particularly pain related to pancreatic cancer or other abdominal malignancies. The celiac plexus neurolysis, for example, can provide prolonged pain relief for patients with upper abdominal cancer pain.
Can an intrathecal pump help with cancer pain?
Yes. An intrathecal drug pump delivers pain medication directly into the fluid surrounding the spinal cord, allowing effective pain relief at a fraction of the oral dose. This reduces systemic side effects and can be highly effective for patients with advanced cancer pain who have not achieved adequate relief through other means.
Does Olympus Spine and Pain accept insurance for cancer pain management?
Yes, Olympus Spine and Pain accepts most major insurance plans. Please visit our insurance page or call us at (801) 930-0092 to confirm your coverage before your first visit.
How do I schedule a cancer pain consultation at Olympus Spine and Pain?
You can call our Salt Lake City, UT office at (801) 930-0092 or request an appointment online. If you are a new patient, please visit our new patients page to learn what to bring, including any relevant medical records, imaging, and a list of your current medications.
