elizabethcampagna
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Posts:2
I'm a 38 yr. old wife and mother of 4 and am also 4 months pregnant with a baby girl. I have no health insurance except for pregnancy Medicaid which only covers my OB visits and delivery. I have had almost every symptom of Pancoast Tumors for a solid year now. I've had chiropractic care, massage and trigger point therapy and so have ruled out any musculoskeletal causes for the pain in my shoulder and surrounding. Thanks for providing a place for me to reach out because I don't even know where to start with this; I'm scared and in so much pain.
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Reply # - October 20, 2015, 06:44 AM
Hi Elizabeth,
Hi Elizabeth,
Welcome to GRACE. I am sorry to hear of your symptoms, but as far as a pancoast tumor, it would be extremely unlikely at your age. Questions similar to yours have been asked frequently, and in the past Dr. West has stated:
“It’s extremely unlikely that someone in their 30s would get lung cancer. Not impossible, but probably 1 in 1000 or more patients with lung cancer is that young.” – http://cancergrace.org/topic/questions-about-imaging-and-symptoms-of-pa…
“[W]hile not impossible, early 40s is quite young for a Pancoast tumor.” – http://cancergrace.org/topic/pancoast-tumor#post-1253557
I think it's significant to note that the members who have asked such questions have not returned with follow-up questions, which suggests very clearly that they were never diagnosed with a pancoast tumor.
As you can see from reading the threads containing his comments, a chest CT should be able to settle the issue, so if it is financially feasible you may want to ask your doctor if that could be ordered, if nothing else to put you mind at rest, but also to see what else might be causing the problem.
Good luck.
JimC
Forum moderator
Reply # - October 20, 2015, 08:57 AM
Have you had any relief along
Have you had any relief along the way in the past year? If this was a pancoast tumor, you would not have any relief and it would have been really bad by now. Has anyone done an xray? I know when I went to a chiro, I had to have an xray done first. They don't just treat a symptom. I agree that this is highly unlikely to be a pancoast tumor, but if you haven't had one, I'd ask for an xray as it would be seen on one.
Take care, Judy
Reply # - October 20, 2015, 11:25 AM
Just to be clear, I'm pretty
Just to be clear, I'm pretty certain that Judy meant to say that it's unlikely to be a pancoast tumor.
JimC
Forum moderator
Reply # - October 20, 2015, 01:44 PM
Did you change it for me Jim?
Did you change it for me Jim? Thanks! Judy
edited to say: Hi Judy, I changed it for you. Jim I didn't see you post before I did it. I wouldn't normally have done that without saying something but I just knew what you meant. Sorry for letting you know. ((hugs)), Janine
Reply # - October 20, 2015, 02:02 PM
I really appreciate you
I really appreciate you taking the time to write. I know that at my age it would be rare for me to have lung cancer, but I had a dear friend in Blue Ridge, GA (a young mom of 3) who died at 31 of lung cancer, and she was never a smoker. I wouldn't be so concerned except that my symptoms have progressed now for a solid year, and my understanding is that Pancoast are slow growing. Is that correct? I'll ask about a CT scan. Thanks for caring and for your advice! Have a terrific week!
Reply # - October 20, 2015, 08:03 PM
Compared to adeno nsclc
Compared to adeno nsclc squamous nsclc (which pancoast tumors are usually) is often slower growing but any cancer can do anything so it's difficult to expect a cancer to behave "normally". It would be very unusual for someone to have a pancoast tumor with almost all the symptoms of a pancoast tumor for an entire year and still be able to function. As well a CT scan would show a pancoast tumor causing quite a bit of trouble so a scan could help put your mind at ease about cancer.
I hope you find a non cancer answer to your pain and find a way to heal.
All the best of luck,
Janine