Epidural for Cancer

In preparation for the procedure, the patient lies on his or her side or sits to expose the lower back. The skin is cleansed with an antiseptic solution. A local anesthetic is injected to numb the tissue around the epidural injection site.

The physician guides a larger needle through the numbed tissue and into the epidural space. The needle is not pushed through the dura (the sac that surrounds the nerve roots). The needle is positioned just outside this sac. If a catheter is needed, it is pushed through the needle.

When the needle or catheter is in position, the physician slowly injects the anesthetic mixture. The anesthetic bathes the nerves in the area. The pain-numbing sensation typically begins working within twenty minutes. The region that is numbed depends on the location of the injection and the amount of anesthesia used.

Our Board certified doctors

Amr Hosny, MD, MBA, FASA David Chu, MD, FAAPMR Vivek Mehta, MD, FAAPMR Deepali Gupta, MD, DABA, DABPM

New York Pain Care
20 Squadron Blvd, Suite 290
New City, NY 10956
(212) 242-8160

This content was co-authored and medically reviewed by the expert team at New York Pain Care, a leading New York City and New Jersey practice specializing in interventional spine and comprehensive pain management. The team is led by Dr. Amr Hosny, MD, MBA, FASA, a board-certified interventional spine specialist with over 15 years of experience in non-surgical and minimally invasive treatments for neck, back, joint, and orthopedic pain. Dr. Hosny and his team have performed over 20,000 outpatient procedures, delivering safe, effective, and patient-centered care. With decades of combined expertise, the team ensures all content reflects the most accurate, current, and authoritative guidance in pain diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation.