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The cause of cancer pain is hidden in the genes
Last reviewed: 02.07.2025
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In severe forms of cancer, a person experiences severe pain that even strong painkillers cannot cope with. In Toronto, a group of researchers found out what exactly causes pain of such intensity. In the process of work, scientists found that the TMPRSS2 gene, which covers the malignant formation, is responsible for the level of pain. Such a gene was found in tumors in prostate cancer, head, and neck.
During the study, scientists found that the TMPRSS2 gene interacts with nerve receptors, which causes severe pain. At the same time, scientists also discovered an interesting fact: the more active the gene, the more pain cancer patients feel.
During a study of patients with prostate cancer, specialists found that in the presence of the TMPRSS2 gene, patients experience incredible pain, while the gene itself exhibits greater sensitivity to male sex hormones.
This study, which allowed to discover the gene that triggers pain, will help in the future to develop effective painkillers for cancer patients. The scientific group plans to develop a drug that could block the activity of the TMPRSS2 gene and its ability to interact with nerve receptors.
Research shows that the most severe pain is experienced by patients with head and neck cancer, with prostate cancer in third place.
With melanoma (skin cancer) there is a minimal level of pain.
Scientists started talking about genes responsible for the appearance of pain last year. Then, specialists managed to find out that the more active a gene is, the stronger the feeling of pain in a person and, accordingly, with weak work of such genes, the threshold of pain sensations is lower.
Oncology is currently the leading disease. There is practically no person who does not know what cancer is. Some forms of cancerous tumors are more common, such as breast, lung, or prostate cancer.
Modern medicine allows treating quite complex cases, but the outcome of treatment can be affected by several factors: the doctor's qualifications, the chosen treatment method, the technical base of the medical institution. But, nevertheless, the main factor in successful treatment is timely diagnosis and treatment of the disease.
Most cancers are asymptomatic and experts recommend that everyone, without exception, monitor their health and undergo regular examinations, especially when reaching a critical age. Women aged 45 to 70 should undergo mammographic examination of the mammary gland every two years, which allows reducing cancer mortality by 22% due to early diagnosis of the disease. Men from the age of 50 should have a blood test for prostate cancer tumor markers and examine the prostate every year.
If a man suffers from chronic urological diseases, then screening for prostate cancer should begin at the age of 40.