Complex Regional Pain Syndrome in Cancer Cases: Current Knowledge and Perspectives

Area of Science:

• Pain Medicine
• Oncology
• Neurology

Background:

• Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a debilitating condition often triggered by trauma, significantly impacting quality of life.
• CRPS in cancer patients exacerbates pain, with limited understanding of its specific circumstances and mechanisms.
• Cancer-related pain presents unique challenges, and the comorbidity with CRPS requires further investigation.

Observation:

• Two cancer patients with CRPS were presented: one with tumor nerve compression treated interventionally, and another with Zoster infection managed multidisciplinary.
• The first case of CRPS was linked to direct tumor nerve compression, successfully managed with an interventional pain procedure.
• The second CRPS case in an immunocompromised cancer patient was associated with Zoster infection, responding to multidisciplinary pain management.

Findings:

• CRPS in cancer patients can stem from direct tumor compression or secondary infections like Zoster.
• Interventional pain procedures and multidisciplinary pain management strategies show efficacy in managing CRPS in cancer patients.
• Literature review explored CRPS and cancer pain coexistence, suggesting potential pathophysiology mechanisms.

Implications:

• Comorbid CRPS complicates cancer pain diagnosis and treatment, negatively affecting patient outcomes.
• Further research is essential to understand the presentation and optimal management of coexisting CRPS and cancer pain.
• Elucidating the interplay between CRPS and cancer pain is critical for advancing patient care and therapeutic strategies.