Cancers that cause shoulder blade pain often involve the lungs (like Pancoast tumors, lung cancer spreading to bones), bones themselves (chondrosarcoma, osteosarcoma), or the lining of the lungs (mesothelioma), as well as some lymphomas or metastatic cancers spreading to the spine/ribs, causing referred pain or nerve compression. The pain can be severe and radiate to the arm, neck, or back due to tumor growth impacting nearby nerves or bones.
Pain is one of the common symptoms of shoulder cancer. At first, patients often feel a dull, intermittent pain, which gradually becomes persistent and increases with movement, affecting work and daily activities.
While shoulder pain is more commonly linked to conditions like arthritis, it can also be an early sign of lung cancer, especially with symptoms like night pain or unexplained weight loss. Understanding the difference can lead to a timely diagnosis and more effective treatment.
By the time they do cause symptoms, they have often grown very large or already spread outside the pancreas.
The 7 common warning signs of bone cancer are persistent bone pain (worse at night/activity), a noticeable lump or swelling near a bone, unexplained fractures from minor injury, unusual fatigue, unexplained weight loss, fever, and stiffness or limited movement in a joint, often mistaken for other issues like "growing pains" but these symptoms persist and worsen, requiring a doctor's visit.
Main symptoms of bone cancer
bone pain or tenderness – the pain may be constant or come and go, and it may be worse at night. a lump or swelling (but it may not always be easy to see or feel) problems moving around – if the cancer is close to a joint, it may be difficult to move the joint and you may walk with a limp.
These blood tests are sometimes raised in people with certain types of bone cancer. For example: the ALP level is sometimes raised in people with osteosarcoma. LDH is sometimes raised in people with Ewings sarcoma.
Itching can happen when pancreatic cancer causes a blockage in the bile duct, which can also lead to jaundice. In these cases, itching tends to be generalized. But I have seen pancreatic cancer patients with intense itching only on their trunk area, or/and only on the arms and legs.
Cancer-related back pain can feel different for different people. The stage of cancer, tumor location and size, and type of cancer can all influence the intensity and nature of back pain. Back pain related to cancer may manifest in the following ways: Dull aching or throbbing sensation.
Tobacco use. Smoking is one of the most important risk factors for pancreatic cancer. The risk of getting pancreatic cancer is about twice as high among people who smoke compared to those who have never smoked. About 25% of pancreatic cancers are thought to be caused by cigarette smoking.
There are several main causes of shoulder pain:
One of the primary red flags for shoulder pain is the severity and persistence of the discomfort. If the pain is intense, unrelenting, or worsening over time despite rest and over-the-counter pain medications, it may indicate a significant underlying issue such as a fracture, dislocation, or severe soft tissue injury.
A very rare type of lung cancer growing right at the top of the lung is called a Pancoast tumour. These tumours cause very specific symptoms. The most common symptom is severe shoulder pain. Pain might travel down the arm or up the head and neck.
Some general signs and symptoms associated with, but not specific to, cancer, include:
Pain from cancer or cancer treatment may be sharp or dull, burning or throbbing. It can affect several areas of your body. Pain is one of the most common symptoms that people with cancer have. Not everyone who has cancer has pain, but research shows nearly half of people with cancer are likely to experience it.
A number of cancers can metastasize to the spine, including breast cancer, testicular cancer, colon cancer and lung cancer. In fact, approximately 25% of people with lung cancer report back pain as a symptom.
The first signs of pancreatic cancer often appear late, but common early symptoms include jaundice (yellow skin/eyes, dark urine, itchy skin), unexplained weight loss and loss of appetite, abdominal or back pain, and changes in bowel habits (diarrhea, constipation, greasy/floating stools). These symptoms, especially jaundice or persistent digestive/pain issues, warrant immediate medical attention as they signal the cancer may be affecting nearby organs or bile ducts.
Pain usually begins in one spot, like an arm, leg, pelvis or rib, and may spread. Other symptoms of bone cancer include: A firm lump or bump.
Other symptoms of pancreatic cancer include: Dark urine or light-colored stools. Bloating, or a feeling of fullness. Nausea, vomiting or indigestion.
Women and men who are diagnosed with carcinoid tumors, medullary thyroid cancer, pancreatic cancer, or renal cell carcinoma may report hot flashes that are believed to be primarily due to tumor secretion, though detailed studies in the literature are lacking.
A CT scan uses special X-rays to make detailed pictures of the inside of your body. During a CT scan, a doughnut-shaped X-ray machine scans the part of your body where there is cancer. A CT scan of the bone tumor can help show the extent of the tumor.
Complete blood count (CBC).
A CBC can detect some blood or immune system cancers like leukemia and lymphoma. But it can't detect solid organ cancers like lung, breast or colon cancers.
However, despite their invaluable role in cancer detection, general practitioners typically don't offer official cancer diagnoses. Instead, if cancer is suspected, your PCP will send you to a cancer specialist for more advanced care. This written order to receive care from an oncologist is called a referral.