gidget
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Posts:2
I know I shouldn't but I googled my symptoms. I have had inner shoulder pain that sometimes goes down my arm and into my neck. It's not always constant. I saw pan coast tumors that one of the biggest symptoms is shoulder pain. I'm freaked out and will definitely be calling my doctor but was wondering if anyone has had any of this to start. Thank you so much for your help
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Reply # - July 1, 2018, 05:13 PM
Hi gidget,
Hi gidget,
Welcome to GRACE. I can understand googling your symptoms in an effort to find answers, but as you recognize the results can be misleading without the perspective which a doctor can provide. Pancoast tumors, though you wouldn't call them rare, are fairly uncommon, and such a tumor is not high on the list of the likely causes for your symptoms.
You haven't stated how old you are or whether you have a significant smoking history, but if you're relatively young and/or have little smoking history, such a tumor is even more unlikely, since lung cancer tends to take many years to develop. In any event, a chest CT should have no problem revealing a pancoast tumor, especially one which is causing symptoms as significant as those you describe.
I will just add that we hear reports such as yours frequently here on GRACE (with Dr. Google definitely to blame), and I can't recall a relatively young patient who returned to say that he or she had be diagnosed with a pancoast tumor.
I hope that your doctor can discover the source of your symptoms, along with an intervention that will provide you relief from those symptoms.
JimC
Forum moderator
Reply # - July 1, 2018, 05:17 PM
Thank you for your reply. I
Thank you for your reply. I'm a 36 year old, non-smoking female. My mother has smoked all my life and I did read that being exposed to it can also cause these tumors. I will follow up with my doctor, I'm just really scared at the moment. Again thank you for your response!
Reply # - July 1, 2018, 05:33 PM
HI gidget,
HI gidget,
While it's true that exposure to second-hand smoke can lead to lung cancer, it would be quite unusual for it to develop in a person of your age, especially to the point of causing the symptoms you describe.
I hope that the discussion and follow-up with your doctor will help relieve your fears.
JimC
Forum moderator