Back pain is a common complaint that a lot of people have. But did you know that it can also be a possible symptom of lung cancer? How can you tell lung cancer back pain from back pain caused by something else? Read on to find out more.
Lung Cancer Back Pain: What You Should Know
Lung cancer is one of the most common, and also most serious forms of cancer in the world. Just like other cancers, early detection is crucial when it comes to treatment and recovery. This is where knowledge of the symptoms of lung cancer come in.
The usual symptoms associated with lung cancer include a persistent cough, recurring chest infections, coughing up blood, difficulty breathing, and a feeling of fatigue or tiredness1. However, there is another possible symptom that not everyone is aware of, and that is back pain.
How exactly does lung cancer cause back pain, and can identify if the pain you’re experiencing is lung cancer?
How Can Lung Cancer Cause Back Pain?
One interesting thing you should know about the lungs is that they have no pain receptors. When a person experiences pain due to lung cancer, it’s usually because of inflammation of the pleura, or the tissue that protects the lungs2. This makes it even more difficult to identify if back pain is caused by cancer since inflammation of the pleura can be caused by a number of different things.
In the case of lung cancer, what usually happens is that tumors might be causing inflammation of the pleura. As the tumors grow, they could start irritating the nerve endings of the pleura. This, in turn, can cause back pain or chest pain.
It Could Be A Sign Of A More Serious Illness
While rare, it’s possible for lung cancer back pain to be a sign that the cancer has already spread throughout the body. It’s possible that it has metastasized or spread throughout the bones, and that might be the reason for back pain3.
In particular, a tumor in the spine could be a possible reason for back pain. The tumors can apply pressure to the nerves surrounding them, and thus can be a reason for back pain. Another explanation is that the cancer might have already spread to other nearby organs, and that could be the reason for back or chest pain.
However, it is important to note that this isn’t always the case. Just because you have back pain doesn’t automatically mean that you might have lung cancer. However, if the pain is recurring and unexplainable, then it might be a good idea to get it checked out, just to be on the safe side.
It is estimated that about 25% of people diagnosed with lung cancer have had back pain as a symptom4. So it is important to not ignore these aches and pains, as they could be a symptom of a more serious illness.
