Breast Cancer Back Pain

Breast cancer back pain is often an occurrence in patients battling for their lives against the epidemic disease. Breast cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer. While treatments for this disease have improved dramatically and patients have a better chance for recovery than ever before, the condition is still hell to endure. Women's back pain is just one of the physical ravages caused by this particular form of cancer.

Breast Cancer Back Pain Causes

Breast cancer related back pain can be caused by the actual disease or by the treatments:

* Large tumors can cause nerve compression that might cause pain in the back and spine.

* Tumors can restrict blood flow causing ischemic back pain.

* Tumors can cause inflammation inside the body creating tender areas in the chest and back.

* Infection is a possible cause of pain, especially after a surgical procedure.

* Chemotherapy can cause pain and other symptoms throughout the body.

* Radiation can cause pain and other symptoms in the chest, back, and elsewhere.

Breast Cancer and Spinal Cancer

Breast cancer can spread to other areas of the body. This type of cancer is called metastatic and can be life threatening. Metastatic spinal tumors sometimes exist in tandem with original breast tumors. Metastasis is a very serious condition since the cancers often grow faster than they can be treated.

Breast Cancer Back Pain Symptoms

Symptoms that might be related to a cancerous condition in the breasts:

* Pain and neurological effects such as tingling, weakness or numbness in the chest, upper body, arms or hands.

* Visual deformity or palpable lump in the breast tissue.

* Pain is elicited from physical touch or compression of the area.

* Flu like symptoms including loss of appetite or weight, fever, nausea, chills, general aches and pains.

Many of these symptoms are common for a variety of back and chest pain conditions. Just because you have one or more does NOT mean you have breast cancer. It is always wise to get a medical examination for any new pain syndrome to diagnose or exclude any chance of breast cancer or other neoplastic process.

Recommendation on Breast Cancer Back Pain

If you have unexplained back, chest, or breast pain, get evaluated by a doctor immediately. Ruling out cancer as a cause or contributor to your back pain is reason enough to get a check up. Cancer can cause back pain through many processes. It is important to be on guard for breast cancer, since early detection and treatment are crucial for a better chance at survival as well as post-treatment quality of life.

If you are a diagnosed breast cancer patient with back pain, talk to your doctor about the possible causes. Determining whether the cancer or the treatments are causing your back pain is often the most difficult part. Once the cause has been determined, your doctor will hopefully be able to find a solution for your pain. If your treatment is causing back pain, talk to your doctor about alternate therapies. Regardless of the source of your cancer related pain, keep a positive mind set and have confidence in your treatment. This is crucial to insure the success of your treatments and the resolution of your breast cancer symptoms.

Breast Cancer Back Pain to Home page 3/13/07 Revised 6/5/07