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Joint pain can make basic, everyday activities like climbing stairs, carrying groceries or even getting up off the couch an uncomfortable experience.  

But did you know that joint pain can also be a side effect of cancer treatment?  

Here, I¡¯ll explain why cancer patients experience joint pain, how we treat it, and five things you can do to relieve the discomfort.? 

Why does joint pain occur in cancer patients?? 

Cancer and its treatment have been linked to several types of pain, including: 

• Arthralgia, or joint pain 
• Myalgia, or muscle pain 
• Ostealgia, or bone pain 

Joint pain in particular might be due to: 

Chemotherapy

Platinum-based chemotherapy drugs like cisplatin and antineoplastic agents like bleomycin can trigger inflammation. That, in turn, can cause joint pain, stiffness and swelling. Chemotherapy may also cause neuropathy, a painful tingling sensation in the fingers and toes. In some cases, this pain can extend into the joints. 

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy activates the body¡¯s immune system to fight cancer. This can sometimes cause it to attack normal tissues, too, which may result in joint pain. Sometimes, this side effect can mimic rheumatoid arthritis.  

Targeted therapy

Targeted therapy drugs affect specific molecules or pathways that cancer cells use for growth and survival. These drugs can also sometimes affect healthy tissues. So, they can cause joint pain, too. 

Hormone therapy 

Hormone therapy works by depriving cancer of the chemical fuel it needs to grow. But in doing so, it also deprives the body of estrogen, which lubricates and protects the joints and guards against bone loss. This increases your risk of developing arthritis.  

Tumors affecting the endocrine system

Hormones control nearly every aspect of the human body, from digestion and reproduction to growth and sleep. So, cancers that affect the organs which produce them ¡ª including the thyroid gland, pituitary gland and adrenal glands ¡ª may disrupt the body¡¯s delicate balance. Joint pain can be the result.  

Are there any other possible causes of joint pain?

Yes. As with muscle cramps, quite a few other things could be going on. Many causes of joint pain are totally unrelated to cancer, particularly in older patients. These include: 

Nutritional deficiency

Not getting enough calcium, vitamin C, vitamin D or protein in your diet 

Autoimmune disorders

Chronic health conditions such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and even regular osteoarthritis 

Reactive arthritis

Formerly known as Reiter¡¯s syndrome, ¡°reactive¡± arthritis sometimes occurs in response to bacterial infections. It typically involves inflammation in three locations: the joints, the eyes and the urethra. 

Sepsis

Sepsis occurs when the immune system inadvertently damages organs and tissues in an attempt to control an infection. One of its aftereffects is a condition called post-sepsis syndrome, which often comes with joint pain. 

Dairy products

Dairy products like milk, cheese, butter, yogurt and ice cream may cause an inflammatory response in some people, which can result in joint pain. 

Do certain medications or diseases tend to target particular joints? 

No. Joint pain can occur anywhere in the body. But many patients report experiencing pain primarily in the larger joints, such as the hips, knees and shoulders. 

How is joint pain typically treated? 

That depends on the root cause. If joint pain is caused by the pituitary gland cancer releasing too much growth hormone, then we have to treat the tumor first.  

But if it¡¯s a side effect of immunotherapy, we might use steroids, over-the-counter pain relievers or physical therapy. We tailor our response to each patient. 

Is cancer-related joint pain permanent or temporary? 

I would love to say that joint pain is always temporary, but the truth is, I¡¯ve seen both outcomes. Joint pain caused by hormone therapy for breast cancer, for instance, can get a lot better once someone finishes treatment. Other kinds may last a long time. 

Is there anything you can do on your own to alleviate joint pain? 

Some of the most common self-help strategies we recommend include: 

• Heating pads, when used safely and responsibly. Please note: It¡¯s important not to sleep with them on.  
• Massage therapy
• Meditation and/or mindfulness practices 
• Weight loss

But the best way to relieve joint pain is by doing gentle, low-impact exercises or a stretching routine every day. Even if you have scar tissue that makes some movements difficult, gentle exercise will gradually strengthen your joints and help you in the long run. 

, is an internist in MD Anderson¡¯s Internal Medicine Center.? 

or call 1-877-632-6789.