pancoast tumour

Hi rednancys,

Welcome to Grace. First congrats on being well 20 years out from breast cancer, chemo, and radiation. My niece is just on the other side of the same plus mastectomy. It's been a long difficult haul and she is well. I'm sorry you've been through so much and for this new scare. My husband and I know of these pains you've described...in an odd sort of way. I've had these pains for the better part of my life depending on my physical activity so when my husband started having them I thought they were the same cervical pains I'd always had. However, his was a pancoast tumor. That was 2009 and he has since recovered. The point is there are many things that could be causing the pain that's a complicated area that gets lots of use.

Something to keep in mind is an MRI focuses on a small area that would probably not miss the tumor but it can and did with my husband. They weren't looking for a pancoast tumor they were looking for other more obvious more probable issues. The CT did not and would not miss it. What the MRI would pick up is small structural damages that are most likely the cause and an appropriate next step. I would let your doc know your worries so you're both on the same page.

This post from Dr. Weiss with the exception of the poster's age the message fits, "While Pancoast tumor is on the long list of things that can cause shoulder and back pain, it's rather far down that list in a young never smoker. As a general principal, primary care physicians treat new musculoskeletal pain with conservative maneuvers (like ice/heat, physical therapy, advil). However, if any symptom does not get better or gets worse, the best doctors then ask, "what else?" and evaluate further (for example, with imaging). In general, it is a good idea to see one's primary care doctor for new pain and symptoms." https://cancergrace.org/forum/what-do-symptoms-pancoast-tumour-feel-rea…

I hope you find the cause and remedy.
Best of luck,
Janine