When it comes to shoulder and back pain, many people think it is frozen shoulder, but in fact, it may also be related to malignant tumors.
Six months ago, 69-year-old Mr. Wu developed shoulder and back pain, massage, cupping, plaster… Although the money was not spent, the pain became more and more intense. In the end, Mr. Wu, who could not bear it, was diagnosed with lung cancer after examination in the hospital. what on earth is it?
The tumor grows in the “apex of the lung” and invades the nerve causing shoulder pain
Henan Province tumor According to Sun Haibo, deputy director of the hospital’s thoracic surgery department, the human lung is divided into three parts: the tip, the base, and the body. There are more nerves around the apex of the lung, and a tumor in this part will compress or invade the peripheral nerves and cause shoulder pain.
Shoulder and back pain caused by frozen shoulder is different from that caused by tumor.
The pain around the shoulder joint caused by the frozen shoulder in the mouth of the common people, the limited movement, the pain is good and bad, and the ups and downs; with the change of temperature, it is aggravated or relieved, especially under the action of external wind and cold , the pain is more obvious; the pain is more obvious when the joint is moving; there is no progressive aggravation trend; the pain points are mainly on the unilateral shoulder joint, and there are obvious and relatively fixed tender points; the pain can spread to the neck and upper limbs, and the performance is more obvious at night; Pain is accompanied by significant mobility impairment; shoulder and back pain can be temporarily relieved after rest or physical therapy.
Lung cancer-related shoulder and back pain, manifested as chest pain and referred shoulder pain; the pain is progressively aggravated, from a sore shoulder and back to severe pain; drug treatment is not ideal; mostly radioactive Pain, generally without obvious tender points; pain points are mostly in the unilateral shoulder and back, and a few are bilateral pain; the shoulder joint movement on the painful side is generally not affected; the pain will not relieve itself after rest or physiotherapy.
In addition, as the disease progresses, patients with lung cancer may also experience symptoms such as chest pain and hemoptysis.
Bone metastasis of malignant tumor, destruction of bone can cause back pain
In addition, patients with shoulder and back pain should also be alert to the occurrence of bone metastasis of malignant tumor.
According to Yao Weitao, director of the Bone and Soft Tissue Department of the hospital, the so-called bone metastases are cancer cells that “run around” with lymph and blood throughout the body, destroying normal bone tissue and causing pain and bone damage as the main manifestations. disease.
More than 90% of bone metastases originate from breast, prostate, lung, thyroid and kidney cancers. Bone metastases occur in 67% to 75% of breast cancers, and bone metastases occur in 30% to 40% of lung cancers. Seventy percent of bone metastases occurred in the spine, followed by the pelvis and lower extremity long bones. Bone metastases that occur in the spine may initially only manifest as radiating pain in the back and back. Later, due to spinal instability and compression of the spinal cord and nerves, the patient may suffer from severe pain, numbness of the limbs, and even paraplegia.
To prevent lung cancer, high-risk groups should be screened early
Lung cancer is the most common malignant tumor in the world, with high morbidity and mortality. Carrying out regular anti-cancer physical examinations, early detection, early diagnosis and early treatment can effectively prolong the survival period and improve the quality of life of patients. Sun Haibo introduced that after the age of 40, people who meet any of the following criteria should undergo a low-dose spiral CT screening for lung cancer once a year:
Long-term heavy smoking (more than 400 cigarettes per year) and exposure to second-hand smoke.
Have a history of environmental or high-risk occupational exposure, such as long-term oil fume exposure, history of radon gas exposure, exposure to arsenic, chromium, nickel, cadmium, beryllium, silicon, diesel exhaust, soot and soot, etc.
A family history of lung cancer, malignancy, chronic obstructive pneumonia, emphysema, or pulmonary fibrosis.
Respiratory symptoms that have been cured for more than two weeks, especially those with bloody sputum, dry cough, or changes in the original respiratory symptoms, should be alert to the possibility of lung cancer.
If any abnormality is found, please go to a specialist hospital in time, and conduct a pathological biopsy if necessary. For diagnosed lung cancer patients, actively receiving treatment, maintaining a good attitude and developing good living habits are also of great significance to improve the treatment effect, improve the quality of life, and prolong the survival period.
(Wang Xiaofan, Henan Cancer Hospital)