Cancer & Palliative

Cancer pain and the needs of patients with life-limiting illnesses require a compassionate, comprehensive approach that goes beyond standard pain management. Cancer-related pain can arise from the tumour itself, treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation, surgery, or compression of nerves and bones. Palliative care addresses not only pain but also other distressing symptoms such as breathlessness, nausea, fatigue, and anxiety, focusing on improving quality of life for patients and support for their families. At Eshna Pain & Palliative Centre, our team provides individualised pain management plans for cancer patients, including medication optimisation, nerve blocks, and minimally invasive interventional procedures to relieve severe or treatment-resistant pain. We also offer palliative care services for patients with advanced illnesses, including symptom management, emotional support, and guidance for caregivers, with the option of home-based care for patients who prefer to be treated in familiar surroundings. Our approach is centred on dignity, comfort, and respect, working closely with oncologists and other specialists to ensure coordinated care throughout the treatment journey. Whether the goal is to manage pain during active cancer treatment or to provide comfort-focused care in advanced stages of illness, our team is committed to supporting patients and their families with empathy and clinical expertise.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is palliative care and who needs it?

Palliative care focuses on relieving pain and other symptoms while improving quality of life for patients with serious or life-limiting illnesses. It can be provided alongside curative treatment or in advanced stages of illness, and is suitable for patients of any age.

How is cancer pain managed?

Cancer pain is managed through a combination of medications, nerve blocks, interventional procedures, and supportive therapies tailored to the cause and severity of pain. Treatment plans are adjusted as the patient's needs change.

Is home-based palliative care available?

Yes, Eshna Pain & Palliative Centre offers home-based palliative care for patients who prefer to receive care in a familiar and comfortable environment, with support for both patients and their families.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS — CANCER PAIN & PALLIATIVE CARE DELHI

Q1. What is cancer pain management?

Cancer pain management involves medications, nerve blocks, and interventional procedures to control pain caused by cancer tumours, metastases, or cancer treatment (chemotherapy/radiation). The goal is to maximise comfort and quality of life.

Q2. Why is pain management important for cancer patients?

Uncontrolled cancer pain causes physical suffering, depression, poor sleep, and inability to tolerate treatment. Effective pain management enables patients to continue cancer treatment, maintain daily function, and live with dignity.

Q3. What types of cancer pain does Eshna treat?

We treat bone pain from metastases, neuropathic pain from nerve involvement, post-surgical pain, chemotherapy-induced neuropathy, and pain from tumour invasion of surrounding tissue.

Q4. What is a coeliac plexus block for cancer pain?

A coeliac plexus block destroys or blocks nerves in the abdomen that transmit pain signals from pancreatic, liver, or abdominal cancers. It provides significant, long-lasting relief for upper abdominal cancer pain.

Q5. What palliative care services does Eshna offer?

We offer comprehensive palliative care including pain management, breathlessness control, nausea management, psychological support, and home-based palliative services for patients with cancer and other serious illnesses.

Q6. Is palliative care only for end-of-life patients?

No. Palliative care can begin at any stage of serious illness. Early palliative care alongside cancer treatment improves quality of life, reduces hospitalisation, and can even improve survival outcomes.

Q7. What is the WHO pain ladder for cancer pain?

The WHO pain ladder is a stepwise approach: Step 1 uses non-opioid painkillers for mild pain; Step 2 adds weak opioids for moderate pain; Step 3 uses strong opioids for severe pain. Interventional techniques are used at any step for targeted relief.

Q8. Can nerve blocks help cancer pain?

Yes. Nerve blocks such as coeliac plexus block, splanchnic nerve block, and intrathecal drug delivery provide targeted, long-lasting relief for specific cancer pain that does not respond adequately to medication alone.

Q9. What is intrathecal drug delivery for cancer pain?

Intrathecal drug delivery involves a small catheter inserted into the spinal fluid to deliver opioids directly to the spinal cord. This requires much smaller drug doses, significantly reducing side effects.

Q10. How does Eshna support the family of cancer patients?

Our palliative care team provides counselling, caregiver education, and guidance on managing symptoms at home. We support families in understanding the illness journey and making informed care decisions.

Q11. Is home palliative care available in Delhi NCR?

Yes. Eshna Pain Care Foundation provides home-based palliative care services across Delhi NCR. Our team visits patients at home to manage pain, symptoms, and provide compassionate support.

Q12. What is breakthrough cancer pain?

Breakthrough cancer pain is a sudden, intense flare of pain that occurs despite baseline pain medication. It requires fast-acting rescue medication or procedural intervention.

Q13. Can cancer pain be managed without strong opioids?

Yes, in many cases. Interventional procedures like nerve blocks, radiofrequency ablation, and intrathecal delivery reduce the need for high-dose opioids while providing superior pain control and fewer side effects.

Q14. Is Eshna Pain Care Foundation an NGO providing free palliative care?

Yes. As a registered NGO, Eshna Pain Care Foundation runs quarterly free clinics and pain relief camps where underprivileged cancer and chronic pain patients receive consultations and treatments at no cost.

Q15. How do I access cancer pain management in Delhi NCR?

Contact Eshna Pain & Palliative Centre at +91 9811088148 or eshnapaincarefoundation@gmail.com. We provide compassionate, expert palliative and cancer pain management across Delhi NCR and through home visits.