Back pain is a common problem that is usually caused by bad posture, arthritis, or a strained muscle. However, sometimes back pain can be a symptom of a more serious underlying condition such as lung cancer. It can be difficult to know which is which, leaving many patients wondering: What does back pain from lung cancer feel like, and how is it different from benign back pain?
Regional Cancer Care Associates (RCCA) is a state-of-the-art cancer treatment network with more than 100 medical oncologists and hematologists who treat patients who have solid tumors, blood-based cancers and benign blood disorders at 25 locations throughout New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, and the Washington, DC area. They strive to educate patients while providing innovative care.
Here, RCCA experts discuss the relationship between back pain and lung cancer so people can make informed decisions about treatment.
There are a wide variety of conditions that may result in back pain, ranging from minor injuries to serious health complications. The following conditions are all common culprits for back pain:
While some of these are minor and may heal on their own, others require medical attention. Individuals experiencing severe or chronic back pain should consult a physician to receive a medical diagnosis and discuss recovery options.
It is important to note that the great majority of women and men who experience one or more of the symptoms listed will not have cancer. Nonetheless, it is important to consult a physician about these symptoms, particularly if they are pronounced, arose suddenly, or have persisted for an extended period.
Lung cancer signs and symptoms often appear slowly. In early stages of lung cancer, symptoms may be mild or nonexistent. As the cancer develops, however, new symptoms may emerge. The following are common symptoms of lung cancer:
At this stage, back pain is unlikely. This is because the cancer has not spread far enough to impact the spine. Back pain develops only as the cancer spreads further to affect other parts of the body.
Lung cancer is malignant, meaning it spreads to infect other nearby cells. Over time, it may infect other parts of the body, including the lymph nodes, liver, bones, or nervous system. This is known as metastatic lung cancer. When cancer becomes metastatic, new symptoms develop in the parts of the body affected. Common symptoms include:
At this stage, back pain is a possible consequence of lung cancer. It is most often caused by cancer-infecting structures within the spine, though there are other possible connections as well.
Back pain is uncommon during lung cancer’s early stages. As cancer cells spread to other parts of the body, however, it may begin to affect spinal structures. There are several ways that lung cancer can cause back pain. These include:
As a lung cancer tumor grows, it can put pressure on tissues around it. If this occurs near the spine, it may result in spinal cord compression. This causes pain that spreads from the upper, middle, or lower back to the arms, buttocks, or legs. The nerve irritation may also cause numbness, weakness, stiffness, or tingling in the back, arms, or legs.
The leptomeninges are the inner layers of tissue that cover the brain and spinal cord. If the cancer spreads or metastasizes to the leptomeninges, or if it enters the spinal fluid, it can cause back pain and other complications. Pain from leptomeningeal metastasis may be accompanied by other problems, such as headaches or weakness in the arms or legs.
If lung cancer spreads or metastasizes into the bones, it may cause calcium levels in the blood to increase. This condition is called hypercalcemia. The excess calcium disrupts normal body functions, including bone health, nerve function, and clotting. Common symptoms include back pain as well as nausea, thirst, weakness, or headaches.
In some cases, the patient’s immune system may mistakenly attack nervous tissue instead of lung cancer. This results in paraneoplastic neurological syndrome. The syndrome causes back pain even when lung cancer has not spread to that part of the body. It may also create other symptoms of nerve damage depending on what structures are under attack.
It can be difficult to tell whether back pain is caused by lung cancer or another condition. Certain characteristics of pain, however, are warning signs that may indicate cancer. Patients should consult a physician if they experience:
While these hallmarks are common in back pain caused by lung cancer, they are not sure signs of cancer. They can also be seen in back pain from other sources. Individuals with severe or chronic back pain should always consult a physician about the symptoms.
If a medical diagnosis confirms that pain is caused by lung cancer, the patient and their cancer care team may begin to formulate a treatment plan. RCCA offers a variety of innovative treatments. These include:
Palliative care, meanwhile, is available to improve patients’ quality of life while undergoing treatment. This can include physical therapy, medications, and other pain management methods to relieve back pain caused by lung cancer, helping patients live comfortably.
A cancer diagnosis can be debilitating. Patients struggling with lung cancer can receive treatment at Regional Cancer Care Associates. RCCA specialists provide care to more than 30,000 new patients and 265,000 established patients each year. RCCA physicians offer patients innovative therapies, including immunotherapies and targeted therapy, cutting-edge diagnostics as well as access to approximately 300 clinical trials in community-based centers close to home.
Contact us today to learn more.
For more information or to schedule an appointment,
call 844-346-7222. You can also schedule an appointment by calling the RCCA location nearest you.
If something about your health or body doesn’t seem right, don’t ignore it, but don’t engage in self-diagnosis, either. Rather, see your doctor without delay.
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