Q: What are the main causes of cancer pain?

A: The main cause is actually the presence of the tumor in a particular area of the body. Either the primary cancer grows and starts pinching on the nerves or the primary cancer gives a little seed that travels with the blood to another part of the body and leads to another lump, or metastasis, and that starts growing and pinching on the nerves. That's about 75% of the cases. About 15% of patients have pain that is due to some of the treatments, some of the chemotherapy or surgery treatments hurt little nerves and patients get peripheral neuropathy (pain in the hands and the feet). Another 5% to 10% of patients have pain that has nothing to do with the cancer, such as rheumatic issues, or issues with the bowel or the heart.