The majority of back pain cases in the U.S. are labeled idiopathic, meaning no exact cause for pain is found. Those with lingering, unexplained back pain may develop fears that the cause is something serious like cancer.
Back pain is one possible symptom of a number of types of cancer, but this is fairly rare. A 1988 study entitled "Cancer as a cause of back pain: frequency, clinical presentation, and diagnostic strategies" found cancer to be the cause of back pain in 13 out of 1,975 patients (.66%). Though rare, it is important to understand when and how back pain may be symptomatic of different forms of cancer, both to ease your mind when it is not and to facilitate early detection when it is.
Back pain can arise from cancer in two main ways: 1) pain may be from tumors in nearby organs that press on muscles and nerves of the back and 2) pain can arise from tumors in the spine itself.
Referred Pain
Tumors are abnormal tissue growths. When tumors grow on the colon, rectum, ovary, pancreas or kidney, pain may be felt in the hips, lower back and/or mid back. Tumors on the lungs can cause pain in the upper back.
If pain is associated with tumors in nearby organs, it will not be the only symptom you have. Cancer symptoms vary depending on the type of cancer causing them. Some symptoms that are shared by many forms of cancer are:
It is important to remember that each of these symptoms may be caused by something other than cancer. Whatever the cause, a trip to the doctor is in order. The sooner the cause is found, the faster you can pursue effective treatment.
Spinal Tumors
Tumors on the spine may be malignant (cancerous) or benign (non-cancerous). Cancerous tumors on the spine are most commonly the result of metastasis (spreading) of cancer from another part of the body, but may also result from cancer of the spine itself.
The three types of spinal tumors are vertebral column tumors, intradural-extramedullary tumors, and intramedullary tumors. Vertebral column tumors develop either on the vertebra or the spinal disc. Intradural-extramedullary tumors grow deeper within the spine but outside the spinal cord (nerves). Intramedullary tumors occur directly on or around spinal nerves and are most common in the neck.
Pain from spinal tumors does not diminish with rest and may be worse at morning and night. Tumors can cause nerve compression and lead to pain, weakness or numbness that travels along the affected nerve's pathway. There is generally severe pain at the site of the tumor when pressure is applied. Bending and twisting may be especially painful. These symptoms are always a cause for concern whether associated with tumors or not, and diagnosis should be sought. These symptoms are most likely to be associated with cancer if they occur with other common cancer symptoms.
Though cancer commonly causes back pain, it is not by any means one of the more common causes of back pain. Given the seriousness of cancer, it is important to be aware of all its possible symptoms. Pain should always be taken seriously, whether associated with another health condition or not.
Back pain is one possible symptom of a number of types of cancer, but this is fairly rare. A 1988 study entitled "Cancer as a cause of back pain: frequency, clinical presentation, and diagnostic strategies" found cancer to be the cause of back pain in 13 out of 1,975 patients (.66%). Though rare, it is important to understand when and how back pain may be symptomatic of different forms of cancer, both to ease your mind when it is not and to facilitate early detection when it is.
Referred Pain
Tumors are abnormal tissue growths. When tumors grow on the colon, rectum, ovary, pancreas or kidney, pain may be felt in the hips, lower back and/or mid back. Tumors on the lungs can cause pain in the upper back.
If pain is associated with tumors in nearby organs, it will not be the only symptom you have. Cancer symptoms vary depending on the type of cancer causing them. Some symptoms that are shared by many forms of cancer are:
- Unexplained weight loss
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Chills
- Skin changes (reddening, darkening, yellowing, or excessive hair growth)
- Nausea
- Vomiting
It is important to remember that each of these symptoms may be caused by something other than cancer. Whatever the cause, a trip to the doctor is in order. The sooner the cause is found, the faster you can pursue effective treatment.
Spinal Tumors
Tumors on the spine may be malignant (cancerous) or benign (non-cancerous). Cancerous tumors on the spine are most commonly the result of metastasis (spreading) of cancer from another part of the body, but may also result from cancer of the spine itself.
The three types of spinal tumors are vertebral column tumors, intradural-extramedullary tumors, and intramedullary tumors. Vertebral column tumors develop either on the vertebra or the spinal disc. Intradural-extramedullary tumors grow deeper within the spine but outside the spinal cord (nerves). Intramedullary tumors occur directly on or around spinal nerves and are most common in the neck.
Pain from spinal tumors does not diminish with rest and may be worse at morning and night. Tumors can cause nerve compression and lead to pain, weakness or numbness that travels along the affected nerve's pathway. There is generally severe pain at the site of the tumor when pressure is applied. Bending and twisting may be especially painful. These symptoms are always a cause for concern whether associated with tumors or not, and diagnosis should be sought. These symptoms are most likely to be associated with cancer if they occur with other common cancer symptoms.
Though cancer commonly causes back pain, it is not by any means one of the more common causes of back pain. Given the seriousness of cancer, it is important to be aware of all its possible symptoms. Pain should always be taken seriously, whether associated with another health condition or not.