Thinking I may have a pancoast tumor.

Mr Beavers
Posts:1

Hello My name is James. I am a 46 years old male. With about a 25 years smoke history on tobacco cigarettes. And also I am a recovering meth addict. I done meth by smoking it and snorting it. For about 20 years on and off and not all the time. But I have been clean now for almost 2 years.  Well here is my deal, I have been dealing with this pain now for about two months. It is the same shoulder, neck, and chest pain, left side. It runs down my arm to my elbow down to my rist into my left pinky knuckle. Some times it is not as intence other times it is and some times it barely hurts. Just notice also when I work real hard out side running  power saw ect. My whole arm hurts like cramping style pain and my left limb feels weak. Aint had a chance to go to Dr yet because of corona virus out break just need some in sight and some ideas or just some one to relate with about this. Aint had time to get x rays or MRI or ct scan. Just wondering if at my age it could be pancoast tumor. I have all the syptoms nust really need some one to talk to about it I guess. Thank you and God bless for reading my page.

JanineT GRACE …
Posts: 651
GRACE Community Outreach Team

Hi Jimmy,

 

Welcome to Grace.  I'm sorry you're in pain.  I imagine it's even more worrisome when it's not easy to get to a doctor.  Pancoast tumors are pretty rare and never the first thing a doctor will think of when diagnosing.  The old adage, if you hear hoofbeats you will probably see horses, not zebras applies to if your shoulder to your pinky hurts you probably have an ortho problem, not a pancoast tumor.  But since you also have chest pain, it's a good idea to call your doctor and let them know.  Chest pain and pain down the arm may suggest a heart problem. 

 

I hope you find answers and feel better soon.  Congrats on being 2 years clean!

JanineT Forum Moderator

I joined GRACE as a caregiver for my husband who had a Pancoast tumor, NSCLC stage III in 2009. He had curative chemo/rads then it was believed he had a recurrence in the spine/oligometastasis that was radiated. He's 10 years out from treatment.

Iyana271
Posts: 2

Hi James,

I recommend you to take the advice of a doctor.  Some doctors are available online to help people in the time of Pandemic. So share your problem with your nearest doctor. And you don't need to worry about anything. Just take care of yourself.