Multidisciplinary treatment of spinal cord stimulation for cancer-related chronic pain: A case report

doi:10.12998/wjcc.122161

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World Journal of Clinical Cases

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2307-8960

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Baishideng Publishing Group Inc, 7041 Koll Center Parkway, Suite 160, Pleasanton, CA 94566, USA

Case Report

Copyright: ©Author(s) 2026. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license. No commercial re-use. See permissions. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc.

World J Clin Cases. Aug 16, 2026; 14(23): 122161
Published online Aug 16, 2026. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.122161

Multidisciplinary treatment of spinal cord stimulation for cancer-related chronic pain: A case report

Chiara Marzorati, Federico Borgogni, Noelia Cazzaniga, Florence Didier, Sara Meneghin, Vittorio A Guardamagna, Gabriella Pravettoni

Chiara Marzorati, Federico Borgogni, Noelia Cazzaniga, Florence Didier, Gabriella Pravettoni, Applied Research Division for Cognitive and Psychological Science, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan 20121, Lombardy, Italy

Chiara Marzorati, Federico Borgogni, Gabriella Pravettoni, Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan 20122, Lombardy, Italy

Sara Meneghin, Vittorio A Guardamagna, Division of Palliative Care and Pain Therapy, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan 20121, Lombardy, Italy

Co-corresponding authors: Chiara Marzorati and Federico Borgogni.

Author contributions: Marzorati C, Borgogni F, Cazzaniga N, Didier F, Meneghin S, Guardamagna VA, and Pravettoni G contributed to conception and design of the study; Marzorati C, Borgogni F, and Cazzaniga N contributed to protocol manuscript writing; Marzorati C, Borgogni F, Cazzaniga N, Didier F, and Meneghin S contributed to acquisition of study materials and patients, collection and assembly of data; Marzorati C, Borgogni F, Cazzaniga N, and Didier F contributed to interpretation of study data; Marzorati C and Borgogni F played important and indispensable roles in the manuscript preparation as the co-corresponding authors; all authors approved of final manuscript.

AI contribution statement: An AI tool (Claude – Anthropic) was used solely for linguistic refinement. No AI tool was involved in the generation of research data, interpretation of results, or formulation of conclusions. All AI-generated outputs were critically reviewed and revised by the authors.

Informed consent statement: Informed written consent was obtained from the patient for publication of this report and any accompanying images.

Conflict-of-interest statement: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest to disclose.

CARE Checklist (2016) statement: The authors have read the CARE Checklist (2016), and the manuscript was prepared and revised according to the CARE Checklist (2016).

Corresponding author: Chiara Marzorati, Applied Research Division for Cognitive and Psychological Science, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Via Ripamonti 435, Milan 20121, Lombardy, Italy. chiara.marzorati@ieo.it

Received: April 13, 2026
Revised: June 26, 2026
Accepted: July 29, 2026
Published online: August 16, 2026
Processing time: 123 Days and 10.9 Hours

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is a well-established treatment for chronic pain and has recently been applied in patients with cancer-related pain. However, clinical outcomes, are frequently influenced by psychological and behavioural factors, which are often underestimated despite their significant impact on the care pathway. This study presents a multidisciplinary approach aimed at optimizing the monitoring and management of SCS in patients suffering from cancer-related chronic pain.

CASE SUMMARY

A 37-year-old male with persistent neuropathic cancer-related pain in the left foot, was followed by a multidisciplinary team for over eight months. The patient presented with a long history of multiple malignancies, including early left-eye enucleation and recurrent pleomorphic undifferentiated sarcoma of the left thigh, for which he underwent wide resections. After a limited and gradually diminishing response to pharmacological treatment for persistent pain, an SCS trial and then permanent SCS implantation was performed. Before and after device implantation, pain perception and impact (Brief Pain Inventory; Pain Catastrophizing Scale; perceived satisfactory global impression of change), resilience (Pain Resilience Scale), anxiety (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory Form-Y1, Y2), and depression (BDI-II), were assessed at multiple time points. The patient experienced no surgical complications and showed a clinically significant reduction in pain. Although mild trait anxiety was present, which may have influenced pain perception and management, outcomes were favourable compared to baseline. Emotional supportive counselling interventions contributed to the stabilization of depressive symptoms throughout the treatment course, and supported functional improvement in daily life.

CONCLUSION

An integrated, multidisciplinary care model combining neuromodulation and psychological intervention represents a key strategy for addressing the complexity of chronic pain and improving both clinical and patient-centred outcomes.

Keywords: Spinal cord stimulation; Psychology; Chronic pain; Cancer-related pain; Multidisciplinary approach; Case report

Core Tip: Chronic cancer-related pain is a complex medical condition that may be refractory to standard pharmacological therapies. It can significantly compromise patients’ physical functioning and emotional well-being. Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) represents a valuable therapeutic option for selected patients with persistent cancer-related pain. However, clinical outcomes vary and are influenced by the interaction of medical, psychological and social factors, which may modulate pain perception and long-term device management. This case report emphasizes the clinical relevance of a structured, multidisciplinary patient-centred approach throughout the SCS care pathway, illustrating the importance of medical and psychological expertise to optimize continuity of care and treatment efficacy.