When people experience back pain, lung cancer rarely comes to mind. However, evidence suggests that the back is one of the most common areas of the body where lung cancer patients experience pain.
Although it's not often mentioned as a common symptom of lung cancer, lung cancer can cause back pain, especially if the tumor has spread to other parts of the body, according to the American Cancer Society.
If lung cancer spreads to the spine (about 19% of spine metastases), it can cause back pain. If the nerves are affected, you may experience a sharp, shooting pain that passes through specific areas of skin connected to the spinal nerves.
The severity of back pain in lung cancer patients can range from mild to debilitating. However, cancer treatment and pain management strategies can help improve symptoms and overall quality of life.
It can be difficult to determine whether your back pain is related to lung cancer until you see a healthcare provider. It is important to note that not all back pain is due to cancer. Many other factors, such as muscle strains or poor posture, are common causes of back pain.
However, there are some distinct characteristics or warning signs that indicate that your back pain may be related to lung cancer. For example:
- Back pain that gets worse at night and interferes with sleep
- Discomfort felt as a deep, aching pain
- Pain radiating from the waist down one or both legs
- Neck pain with back pain
- Pain that progresses to loss of motor function, which may result in leg weakness or difficulty walking
Back pain may indicate lung cancer when accompanied by other symptoms, including:
Lung cancer can cause pain anywhere in the back, but many people experience back pain from lung cancer. The severity of the pain depends on the stage of the cancer and how quickly it progresses.
People can experience back pain for a variety of reasons, including injuries, musculoskeletal problems, and poor posture. However, if you have lung cancer, there are several reasons why you may feel back pain.
Spinal metastases
Sometimes lung cancer spreads to the spine (called spinal metastases). Healthcare providers often detect this as bone metastases (cancer that spreads to the vertebrae of the spine). This usually occurs in the thoracic (middle part of the spine) and then in the lumbar (lower back).
If cancer cells spread to the spine, you may experience severe back pain, which may require you to take painkillers.
Spinal Compression
As lung cancer grows and spreads, it can compress nerves in the spinal cord, vertebrae, or as it exits the spinal cord. This compression can irritate the nerves, causing pain in the back or neck.
Transition of the cervical spine
Meninges Metastasis occurs when lung cancer spreads into the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord (called cerebrospinal fluid) and into the thin layers of tissue that surround and protect the central nervous system (called the meninges).
Leptomeningeal metastases occur in 1-5% of people with solid tumors and are commonly diagnosed in patients with lung cancer. If the tumor spreads to the leptomeninges around the lumbar spine, it can cause pain in the lower back and legs.
soft tissue metastasis
In rare cases, lung cancer can spread to the soft tissues of the body, including the skin, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. For example, lung cancer that spreads to the lumbar muscles (long, ribbon-shaped muscles on either side of the lower back) can cause back pain.
Soft tissue metastases are often a sign of advanced lung cancer.
Other causes
Back pain in lung cancer patients may have other causes, including:
- Pain radiating from the lungs to the back
- Infections are common in cancer patients due to a weakened immune system
- chronic inflammation
- When cancer spreads to the spine, weakening the bone and causing spinal fractures
Treatment for lung cancer back pain depends on the specific structures affected and the direct cause of the pain. Your healthcare team will often begin by performing a physical exam, asking about your symptoms, and recommending tests to understand what is causing your pain.
After learning more about your symptoms and overall condition, your doctor may recommend the following treatments to destroy cancer cells and improve your symptoms:
- Chemotherapy or radiation therapy: It helps reduce the size of tumors and the number of cancer cells in the body.
- steroid: Medications such as Decadron (dexamethasone) can help reduce pain and improve symptoms.
- Spinal Surgery: Improves back pain and reduces the risk of complications such as paralysis.
- Bisphosphonate drugs: Medications such as Aredia (pamidronate) or Zomeda (zoledronic acid) are given intravenously to treat fragile bones in the spine.
- Over-the-Counter (OTC) Pain Relievers: Relieve mild pain with medications such as Advil (ibuprofen) and Tylenol (acetaminophen).
- Prescription pain relievers: Medications, such as narcotics or muscle relaxants, are used to reduce the symptoms of chronic or severe back pain.
Chronic back pain, whether caused by lung cancer or other causes, can be difficult to treat. In fact, it is one of the most common reasons people seek emergency medical care. Certain lifestyle modifications and home remedies can help manage it. Consider the following tips.
- Avoid activities that may make the pain worse.
- Improve your posture through exercise
- Get enough sleep
- Use ice and heat therapy to relieve pain
- Maintain a weight that is right for you
- Try techniques like yoga and deep breathing exercises to help you relax.
- Ask your healthcare provider about complementary therapies, such as acupuncture, massage, or chiropractic care.
- Seek support from a physical therapist who can recommend assistive devices or exercises to help relieve your pain.
If you have sharp, shooting pain or chronic back pain that suddenly gets worse, it is important to seek medical help to understand the cause of your pain. If your pain is accompanied by symptoms such as muscle weakness or numbness, fatigue, or chest pain, you should contact your healthcare provider immediately.
Back pain is a symptom of many medical conditions, including lung cancer. Your healthcare provider will perform a thorough examination to determine if your back pain is due to lung cancer or another underlying condition. This will help you and your healthcare provider understand what treatments may be effective in relieving your pain.
Back pain is a common health problem, but it is often an unexpected symptom of lung cancer. Especially if lung cancer cells spread to the spine, the pain can spread to the back and other parts of the body. Back pain with one or two symptoms does not necessarily mean lung cancer. Bad posture or muscle strain can also cause back pain.
If your pain persists or does not improve with medication, seeing a healthcare provider for a proper diagnosis can help you understand what is happening and what treatments might help relieve your pain.