Externally Powered Peripheral Nerve Stimulation With a SEParate Receiver at the Brachial Plexus Nerve for the Treatment of Pain due to Metastatic Invasion From Advanced Breast Cancer: A Case Report

Alvise Martini, Vittorio Schweiger, Libera Villagrossi, Alex Patton, MD, Giuseppina Poni, and Enrico Polati
Pain Medicine Case Repors 2025; 9 (Number 1) :pp. 27-31
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Abstract

Background: Cancer pain, particularly neuropathic pain, remains a significant clinical challenge, often refractory to conventional analgesic therapies.

Case Report: This case study aims to assess the efficacy of the Freedom® peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) System in managing chronic intractable cancer-related neuropathic pain. This particular case was managed at a specialized pain management center with access to advanced neuromodulation technologies. A 41-year- old woman with ductal mammary carcinoma and pectoral metastasis experienced severe pain in the right arm unresponsive to conventional treatments. A Freedom PNS System was implanted at the brachial plexus using a permanent surgical technique.

Following the implantation of the Freedom PNS System, the patient’s pain score decreased from 9/10 to 2/10, the Oswestry Disability Index improved from 66% to 12%, and Euro Quality of Life 5-Dimension 5-Level Version utility indexes increased significantly.

Conclusions: This case study demonstrates that the Freedom externally powered PNS System can be an effective and safe treatment for chronic cancer pain.