Cancer Treatment Chemotherapy Does It Hurt to Receive Chemotherapy? By Lisa Fayed Lisa Fayed is a freelance medical writer, cancer educator and patient advocate. Learn about our editorial process Lisa Fayed Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD on December 01, 2019 Doru Paul, MD, is board-certified in internal medicine, medical oncology, and hematology. Learn about our Medical Review Board Doru Paul, MD Updated on January 27, 2020 Print One of the foremost questions asked by people facing chemotherapy is simple: how painful is chemotherapy? It’s a fair question given the plethora of images fed to us on TV and film about the "ravages" of cancer treatment. Caiaimage / Martin Barraud / Getty Images And while, yes, chemotherapy can cause discomfort and sometimes even pain, it’s important to remember that our anticipation of what’s going to happen can cause anxiety and distress that only heightens our perception of pain and discomfort. In an effort to alleviate some of that anticipation, let’s take an objective look at what to expect during an average chemo session: Insertion of the Intravenous Catheter Ordinary there is little pain associated with chemotherapy other than the initial intravenous (IV) access to your veins. If your chemo is being administered intravenously, there can be a minor sting and some discomfort as the needle is being inserted into your skin and a thin, flexible tube (called a catheter) is eased into your vein. The needle will not be left in your arm but is simply there to direct the catheter into place. Once the needle is removed, the drugs can be directly fed into your bloodstream. If you are very nervous about any pain you might experience, you can ask your doctor to prescribe a numbing patch that can be kept in place for around 20 to 30 minutes. For the most part, people undergoing IV chemotherapy report little discomfort. Some cases will require longer-term options such as a port-a-cath or PICC line. There are inserted into a vein and can be kept there for a few weeks or even months at a time. In this way, a needle doesn’t have to be inserted and removed each and every visit. Port-a-caths are the more permanent of the two options and require a local anesthetic; you may feel sore and swollen around the area where the port was put for one to two days after the 30-minute procedure. Discomfort During an Infusion The actual chemotherapy process is usually painless. Some chemo drugs may cause a slight burning as they enter your vein, but this is usually minor and tends to ease as the infusion progresses. If the IV in your hand or wrist, you may feel the burning sensation moving up your arm. This is perfectly normal and will eventually ease off. If during a session you feel any genuine pain or discomfort, let your chemo nurse know. In some cases, the location of your cancer can make it difficult to sit or lie in one place for very long. The same thing applies if you’ve had recent surgery. In the event this happens, your doctor can suggest medications to help ease the pain. After Effects of Chemotherapy In the days and weeks following chemotherapy, you may experience some unpleasant side effects related to the drugs you've been given. Some of the more common include: Mouth soresVomitingDiarrheaPeripheral neuropathy (numbness and pain caused by damage to nerve cells)Deep aching in your legs and arms (often experienced with drugs like Taxol) Many of the symptoms can be relieved with medication and tend to subside as the course of your therapy progresses. The Most Common Chemotherapy Side Effects A Word From Verywell Pain tolerance is not a term we should use to describe how a person experiences chemotherapy. Pain is not something you "tolerate" but rather a very real experience that deserves the full attention of those treating you. There is no shame in telling your care team that you are in pain. You are dealing with enough not to take advantage of every reasonable means to lessen the discomfort you are feeling. On the other hand, if you are unable to cope and feel completely overwhelmed by what you’re going through, you need to speak with someone who can help, be it your doctor, a therapist, or a cancer support group. Reach out for help if you’re in distress. Don’t tolerate it in silence. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Limiting processed foods and red meats can help ward off cancer risk. These recipes focus on antioxidant-rich foods to better protect you and your loved ones. Sign up and get your guide! Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. American Cancer Society. Chemotherapy: what it is, how it helps. University Health Network. What to expect when getting an implanted port. American Cancer Society. Chemotherapy side effects.