Psychophysical Studies of Cancer Therapy Pain

Summary

The Aim of this Study is to examine the feasibility of using quantitative sensory testing procedures, widely applied to the experimental study of sensory processing in humans both with and without various pain syndromes, to now characterize the psychophysical properties of neuropathic pain that has developed as a consequence of cancer therapy. Skin punch biopsies will be performed in patients with chemotherapy-induced pain to determine whether the impairment of nerve function is due to actual retraction or loss of innervation to the skin in areas affected by sensory disturbance.

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Since moderate pain, albeit brief, will be induced, this feasibility project will be limited to consenting adults, 18 years old or older, in which there is also a well established QST database.
2. The subjects must be able to understand the nature of the study and have signed consent.
3. The patients must either: a) have pain that has developed as a consequence of cancer therapy with either vinca alkaloids, taxanes, bortezomib, thalidomide, platinum-based compounds or ionizing irradiation. OR b) have no pain that has developed as a consequence of cancer therapy, and are just entering chemotherapy with taxanes, vinka alkaloids, bortezomib, thalidomide, or platinum-based compounds
4. (For Healthy Controls) Willing to participate and have signed an informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Patients who refuse to participate or who are determined incapable of completing the research.
2. (For Healthy Controls) Receiving anti-coagulants, immunosuppressed or diabetic.

Conditions3

Locations1 site

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