Is Your Back Pain Caused by Lung Cancer?

What Causes Back Pain?

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:

• Muscle strain or sprain
• Fractured vertebrae
• Inflammatory arthritis
• Osteoarthritis
• Ankylosing spondylitis
• Ruptured or herniated discs
• Degenerative disc disease
• Spinal stenosis
• Myofascial pain
• Scoliosis
• Osteoporosis
• Fibromyalgia
• Back infections
• Pregnancy and menstruation

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.

Early Symptoms of Lung Cancer

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:

• A chronic cough that does not go away
• Chronic lung infections, such as bronchitis or pneumonia
• Coughing up blood or rust-colored phlegm
• Chest pain that worsens when laughing, coughing, or breathing deeply
• Hoarseness or wheezing
• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Unexplained weight loss

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.

Symptoms of Advanced Lung Cancer

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:

• Bone pain, often in the back
• Limb weakness or numbness
• Balance problems or dizziness
• Headaches
• Seizures
• Jaundice, or yellowing of the skin and eyes
• Swollen lymph nodes

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.

How Does Lung Cancer Cause Back Pain?

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:

Spinal Cord Compression

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.

Leptomeningeal Metastasis

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.

High Calcium Levels

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.

Paraneoplastic Neurological Syndrome

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.

What Does Back Pain from Lung Cancer Feel Like?

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:

• Deep, aching back pain
• Pain that gets worse at night, possibly disrupting sleep
• Pain that radiates down to one or both arms or legs
• Neck pain that occurs simultaneously with back pain
• Pain that does not worsen when moving
• Pain that does not respond to normal relief methods

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.

Treatment Options for Back Pain from Lung Cancer

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:

• Chemotherapy:Patients are given powerful drugs that kill fast-growing cells, including cancer. Drugs may be delivered orally or through an intravenous injection.
• Targeted therapy:Specially designed drugs target cells with specific characteristics, letting them kill cancer cells without damaging healthy tissue.
• Immunotherapy: The patient’s immune cells are modified with the tools to identify and attack cancer cells, while providing the immune system a boost.
• Radiation therapy:High-energy rays are directed at cancer cells, eradicating them or slowing their growth. This treatment is often used alongside other methods.
• Surgery:A surgeon manually removes as much of the tumor as possible. Reconstructive surgery is also available to restore function lost to cancer.
• Clinical trials:Consulting patients to participate in a carefully designed and managed study to test new drugs and treatment methods.

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.

Find Expert Cancer Treatment at an RCCA Location Near You

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.