And here's why shoulder pain could be a warning sign of lung cancer.
Pancoast tumor
According to Cancer Research UK , a rare type of lung cancer called Pancoast tumor can cause severe shoulder pain. The pain can also radiate down the arm or into the neck and head, according to Times Now News.
These tumors appear at the top of the lungs but rarely cause symptoms related to breathing. As the tumor spreads, they can cause pain in the neck and shoulders.
Shoulder pain is rarely or never thought to be related to lung cancer.
Pancoast tumors, which account for 5% of lung cancers, also cause arm pain, muscle weakness, tingling skin, and loss of feeling. As the tumor grows, pain can spread to the upper back, between the shoulder blades, the arms, and even the armpits.
What is Horner's syndrome?
About 40 percent of Pancoast tumor patients develop Horner's syndrome, which causes severe shoulder pain, according to medical news site WebMD .
Pancoast tumors can grow and press on nearby nerves. This compression causes shoulder pain, but also causes symptoms on one side of the face:
- Droopy eyelids
- Constricted pupils
- Red skin
- Can't sweat
Horner's syndrome affects the side of the face where the tumor is located. The person may also feel tingling or pins and needles in the hand.
A rare type of lung cancer called Pancoast tumor can cause severe shoulder pain.
Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer. It is usually caused by long-term exposure to asbestos fibers. Shoulder pain may be an early symptom of pleural mesothelioma. The person may also feel that the shoulder joint is immobile. The more common first symptoms are chest pain, cough, and shortness of breath.
Metastatic lung cancer
Metastatic cancer can damage bones, internal organs, and nerves. In rare cases, it can also affect muscles. And sometimes severe shoulder pain can be a sign that the cancer has spread and damaged the muscles.
What to do if you have shoulder pain?
Usually, shoulder pain is caused by repetitive joint movement, injury, fracture, or soft tissue inflammation rather than a tumor.
You should see your doctor early for a thorough check-up if your shoulder pain spreads to nearby areas or you have other symptoms such as arm pain, muscle weakness or tingling.
If you have been exposed to asbestos, tell your doctor. Inhaling asbestos is the main cause of mesothelioma.
Imaging tests such as MRIs, CT scans, or PET scans can show Pancoast tumors or signs of mesothelioma, according to WebMD.
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