34 and scared of pancoast tumor

Hi Lauren,

Welcome to Grace.  I'm sorry you're going through this scare. It would be highly unlikely that you have a pancoast tumor. They are rare and usually found in older people who smoke or have smoked quite a bit throughout their lives.  Pancoast tumors have similar sounding pain as typical cervical spine issues.  I've had similar pain for most of my life.  When my husband started having pain from a pancoast tumor it sounded just like what I've been dealing with until it became evident that it was getting much worse than anything I get.  It is almost always an orthopedic problem when someone starts having these issues, especially someone who hangs by the arms doing aerial stuff.  I hope you can take this to heart and not worry so much, but I get it and hope it won't be long before you can find out those hoof beats are horses and not zebras (if you hear hoof beats your best guess is horses, not zebras).

Let us know how things go and best of luck,

Janine

Hi Lauren,  I'm sorry for the late response.  Glad that your naturopath thinks it's ortho and such, and hope you're doing better soon.  As a 64-year-old who had a very active lifestyle including tumbling, dance, and yoga, I've had cervical issues as long as I can remember.  The right yoga instructor might be helpful though the wrong one can make it worse.  You know your body, if it hurts after class, modify or change type of yoga. 

I'm so sorry to hear about your friend.  That's so very young.  If they have/had lung cancer it probably had a "driver" mutation that drove the cancer.  Unfortunately, while not the most common reason to get lung cancer when it does happen it's often a young'er person with no smoking history.  With pancoast tumors (my husband had one 13 years ago and how I found this org) the person most likely smoked for 20 plus years and is older, over 50.

If you'd like to return and let us know how you're doing we would love to have a good example of a pancoast scare like this resolved.

Best of luck,

Janine

I can understand why you're feeling anxious about your health
It's essential to address these concerns with your healthcare provider as soon as possible to get a clear
understanding of what's happening.

Here are a few things to consider and discuss with your doctor during your appointment:

Detailed Symptom Description:
Make sure to describe your symptoms in detail to your doctor, including the location, nature, frequency,
and any factors that worsen or alleviate them. This information will help them assess your condition more
accurately.

Medical History Review:
Discuss your past medical history, including your previous chest X-ray and any other relevant tests or
procedures. Your doctor may need to review these results and compare them with your current symptoms and
bloodwork.

Concerns about Pancoast Tumors:
Express your concerns about Pancoast tumors to your doctor, especially given the symptoms you're
experiencing. While it's natural to consider various possibilities, it's essential not to jump to
conclusions without a thorough evaluation.

Follow-up Testing:
Your doctor may recommend further testing, such as additional imaging studies (CT scan, MRI) or
consultations with specialists, based on your symptoms and bloodwork results. These tests can provide more
information and help rule out any serious underlying conditions.

Managing Anxiety:
Waiting for medical appointments and test results can be stressful. Consider practicing relaxation
techniques, such as deep breathing exercises, mindfulness meditation, or engaging in activities that help
distract and calm your mind.

Remember that your doctor is there to support you and address your concerns. Open communication and
collaboration with them are crucial for getting the best possible care and finding answers to your health
questions.