Radiation Therapy Centers in Phoenix, AZ
At Palo Verde Cancer Specialists, we believe that everyone deserves the absolute best in their cancer care – no matter what. That’s why we’re proud to serve patients throughout the greater Phoenix, AZ are with world-class cancer treatment and radiation therapy. But beyond treating a wide range of cancerous conditions, we can also treat several noncancerous conditions as well – including all types and stages of trigeminal neuralgia (TN).
Types of Trigeminal Neuralgia
Trigeminal neuralgia is a rare chronic pain condition caused by pressure or deformation in the trigeminal nerve, which connects many areas of the face to the brain and is the largest nerve in the head. Unfortunately, trigeminal neuralgia is one of the most severe pain conditions known to medicine: TN pain can be so intense as to be incapacitating, and TN attacks can last up to two hours depending on the specifics of the condition.
Broadly, there are two types of trigeminal neuralgia:
- Typical Trigeminal Neuralgia: In this form, patients experience episodes of sharp, stabbing pain at one location in the head. The attacks may be unpredictable or may be triggered by touching a certain area or by certain activities.
- Atypical Trigeminal Neuralgia: The rarer form of the condition, this consists of a constant, dull ache or burning sensation at a single location. It’s possible for a patient to suffer from both typical and atypical TN at the same time.
Stages of Trigeminal Neuralgia
TN is not a cancerous condition, so it isn’t staged in the same way as cancers. However, TN may be progressive depending on what’s causing the pain. In some cases, the pain is caused by a blood vessel pressing on the trigeminal nerve root. This may or may not get worse over time. In other instances, the pain may be caused by a tumor growing on the trigeminal nerve. In this case, the condition can worsen as the tumor grows. Trigeminal tumors are usually noncancerous (benign), but we can often use radiation therapy to treat them.
Schedule a Consultation at Your Phoenix Radiation Therapy Center
If you or someone you love suffer from typical or atypical trigeminal neuralgia, the radiation therapy experts at Palo Verde Cancer Specialists may be able to help. We can work with you to discover the cause of your TN, and if the problem is a tumor, we may be able to use a nonsurgical solution to treat it. Don’t wait to end your suffering – book a consultation online today.
