Where is the lung pain felt in the back? Due to the location of the lungs, most lung conditions cause pain in the upper-to-middle regions of the back. It's not unheard of for some lung conditions to cause lower back pain, but it is much less common.
Back pain related to lung cancer is usually felt in the middle to upper back. Tumors can spread to the thoracic spine or other bones and cause pain. They can also irritate nerves in the back. 10 It's also possible to have pain in the lower (lumbar) region of the back, depending on how the tumors press on the spine.
Lung pain is often felt when you breathe in and out, either on one or both sides of your chest. Technically, the pain isn't coming from inside the lungs, since they have very few pain receptors. Instead, the pain may come from the lining of the lungs, which does have pain receptors.
Lung cancer-related back pain may feel dull like a muscle ache, or it may seem sharp like a pinched nerve.
Types of back pain that could mean cancer
back pain that doesn't seem to be related to movement or doesn't get worse with movement. back pain that usually occurs at night or early in the morning and goes away or gets better during the day. back pain that persists even after physical therapy or other treatments.
Pleuritis, or pleurisy, refers to inflammation of the lining of the lungs. A bacterial or viral infection is the most common cause. Pleuritis can cause pain that feels like a pulled chest muscle. It is generally sharp, sudden, and increases in severity when taking a breath.
The nerve endings that have pain receptors are actually in the lung lining, called the pleura. An injury to the lining of the lung, inflammation due to an infection or invasion by cancer can all cause pain in the chest.
Chest pain: When a lung tumor causes tightness in the chest or presses on nerves, you may feel pain in your chest, especially when breathing deeply, coughing or laughing.
Pain in the back, along with shoulder and neck pain, are all symptoms of lung cancer. Many people who are living with lung cancer will experience back pain at some point during their disease. Our lungs are large, complex and vital organs that are protected by the rib cage.
In most cases, upper back pain is not a cause for worry; however, it can be uncomfortable, painful, and inconvenient. Furthermore, if pain develops suddenly and is severe—such as from an injury (eg, fall)—and, certainly if pain and symptoms (eg, weakness) progressively worsen you should seek medical attention.
Pneumonia or Chest Infection
Those who suffer from pneumonia or a chest infection can feel upper back pain, or pain throughout the torso, when they breathe. These conditions usually come with fever, coughing up green or yellow mucus, and other indicative symptoms.
A number of cancers can metastasize to the spine, including breast cancer, testicular cancer, colon cancer and lung cancer. In fact, approximately 25% of people with lung cancer report back pain as a symptom.
The lungs are found in the chest on the right and left side. At the front they extend from just above the collarbone (clavicle) at the top of the chest to about the sixth rib down. At the back of the chest the lungs finish around the tenth rib.
Wheezing: Noisy breathing or wheezing is a sign that something unusual is blocking your lungs' airways or making them too narrow. Coughing up blood: If you are coughing up blood, it may be coming from your lungs or upper respiratory tract. Wherever it's coming from, it signals a health problem.
Anti-inflammatories and pain relievers: available over the counter to help with mild symptoms of lung inflammation, such as fever, body aches, and pain. Examples include acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen and naproxen.
Pressure, fullness, burning or tightness in your chest. Crushing or searing pain that spreads to your back, neck, jaw, shoulders, and one or both arms. Pain that lasts more than a few minutes, gets worse with activity, goes away and comes back, or varies in intensity. Shortness of breath.
Pain in the chest or lung area often raises concern about an underlying heart-related condition. Physicians often suspect angina (chest pain that is caused by coronary artery disease) or a heart attack, when blood flow to a part of the heart is blocked.
The pain may be worse when you cough, sneeze or move around, and it may be relieved by taking shallow breaths.
Non-small cell lung cancer symptoms
A cough that produces blood or red-colored phlegm (hemoptysis) Chest pain or painful breathing. Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Fatigue or feeling unusually weak or tired.
The only recommended screening test for lung cancer is low-dose computed tomography (also called a low-dose CT scan, or LDCT). During an LDCT scan, you lie on a table and an X-ray machine uses a low dose (amount) of radiation to make detailed images of your lungs. The scan only takes a few minutes and is not painful.
If these treatments offer little to no pain relief, they will order blood tests and imaging tests such as X-rays, bone scans, or magnetic resonance imaging. These tests can let you and your doctor know if your back pain is due to cancer.