Therapy: Relief of Pain

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The operation for breast cancer appeared to have been successful, but the patient developed unbearable pain in her right arm. Some of the many doctors she consulted were convinced that her cancer must have recurred—but they could not find it. Others blamed her pain on an emotional ("hysterical") reaction—but they could not help her either. Still, the woman was more fortunate than most people who have severe, unyielding pain: she was able to go to the University of Washington's pain clinic in Seattle. There, a team of experts found that her arm nerves had been scarred by "cobalt-bomb" radiation...

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