hopanaught
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Posts:3
Hi,
Last month, I visited a pulmonologist for back pain. The adjacent hospital performed an X-ray and the pulmonologist told me the image appeared unremarkable. The back pain has mostly subsided however I have developed right arm muscle and nerve pain and tingling, from my neck and shoulder to my hands and fingers. My PCP did not express concern last week.
However, I have been reading many accounts how often lung cancers are missed on X-rays, and how arm pain and numbness are symptoms of a tumor pressing on a nerve. I also feel I have been coughing more than normal, as well as experiencing severe chronic fatigue. Should I demand a low-dose CT scan from my PCP or pulmonologist?
Thank you.
Forums
Reply # - April 15, 2016, 05:27 AM
hopanaught,
hopanaught,
It's vastly more likely problems like you've described are caused by nerves being pressed on their way out of the spine. I've had these issues since I was a kid. My husband on the other hand had a pancoast tumor, lung cancer that grows at the top of the lung and into the chest wall. This type of tumor is pretty rare though people are finding it easily on the internet when googling these symptoms.
It's probably helpful to know that cancer pain doesn't tend to come and go, instead it usually comes on gradually and continues to get worse without pain and or cancer treatment.
You may get to the bottom of these symptoms a lot quicker through an orthopedic doctor, chiropractor, massage therapist or bikram yoga teacher. My brother using them all, I do yoga (especially when my shoulders to hands are acting up).
I hope you get relief.
Janine
Reply # - April 15, 2016, 07:34 AM
Thank you for your thoughtful
Thank you for your thoughtful reply Janine.
Reply # - April 16, 2016, 05:42 AM
The x-ray is a lousy test,
The x-ray is a lousy test, which is frequently misinterpreted. Smaller lesions can be missed.
That said, one supposes few doctors would recommend a chest Ct Scan based solely upon a report of back pain. Add persistent cough, chest pain, or other symptomology, that may prompt further testing. Ct Scans are also being recommended for those with smoking histories and if you have such a history, it could be warranted based upon that alone.
Reply # - April 17, 2016, 07:14 PM
hopey is right. CT scans
hopey is right. CT scans have been recommended for those who have a 35 pack year smoking history. The data suggest that's the point at which annual ct scans pick up possible cancer in early enough stage to be cured. On the other hand data also shows people who get annual ct scan and have less smoking history are more likely to do more harm than good because it's not uncommon that a nodule is found that is benign but the worry and further workup can cause more harm that good.
Reply # - April 20, 2016, 11:48 AM
I'm a 40-year-old never
I'm a 40-year-old never smoker. My pulmonologist said he would do a CT scan but insurance is currently denying it. Janine, I see you posted, "an x ray can miss a tumor. Pancoast tumors can hide behind other structures in the area." Maybe I should think about paying out-of-pocket for a CT.
Reply # - April 20, 2016, 12:43 PM
You stated your pain has
You stated your pain has mostly subsided however nerve pain from a pancoast tumor doesn't get better without treatment. Pancoast tumors are typically squamous which never smokers rarely get. A trip to an orthopedic or chiropractor are appropriate next steps though we can't say what you should or shouldn't do or worry about. That would be unethical and unlawful.
I hope you get the help you need, I can imagine how worrisome you symptoms are so I look forward to hearing this end up with an simpler fix. :)
All best,
Janine