Cancer Back Pain

Cancer back pain is a common and horribly unfortunate side effect of the disease or the treatments. Cancer patients have a difficult time dealing with severe back ache since their constitutions have frequently been diminished by the ravages of their disease. Therapy options for cancer also have serious side effects and might even be the cause of cancer related back pain.

Cancer Back Pain

Cancer Back Pain Causes

Cancer related spinal pain can be caused by the disease or by the treatments:

* Spinal tumors can cause vertebral fractures. Severe tumors can lead to spinal instability.

* Tumors can cause nerve compression in and around the spine.

* Tumors can restrict blood flow causing oxygen deprivation back pain.

* Tumors can cause inflammation inside the body creating tender areas.

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

* Radiation can cause pain and other symptoms.

* Chemotherapy can cause pain and other symptoms.

Cancer and the Spine

The majority of spinal tumors are actually metastatic cancers that have spread from other affected sites such as the breast, lung, kidney or prostate. Metastasis is a serious condition that is difficult to treat and often has dire consequences for the patient. Primary spinal tumors are rare, but can also cause serious structural and neurological effects.

Cancer Back Pain Symptoms

Symptoms that might indicate a cancerous condition in or near the spine:

* Pain and neurological effects such as tingling, weakness or numbness.

* Bowel or bladder problems.

* Visual deformity in the spine.

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

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

Most of these symptoms are common for a variety of back pain conditions. Just because you have one or more does NOT mean you have cancer. It is always advisable to get a complete evaluation for any new pain syndrome to diagnose or exclude any chance of cancer or other neoplastic process.

Recommendation on Cancer Back Pain

If you have unexplained back pain, get checked out by a doctor. Ruling out cancer as a cause or contributor is reason enough to get a check up. Cancer can cause back pain through many processes. It is important to be on guard for cancer, since early detection and treatment allow a better chance for survival and improved quality of life.

If you are a cancer patient with back pain, talk to your doctor about the cause. Determining whether the cancer or the treatments are actually causing your back pain is half the battle. Once the cause has been determined, your doctor might be able to find a solution to your pain. If your treatment is causing back pain, talk to your doctor about alternate therapies, or at least symptomatic pain relief. Regardless of the source of your pain, keep a positive mental state and have confidence in your therapies. This is key to insure the success of treatment and the resolution of your cancer symptoms.

Cancer Back Pain to Lower Back Pain Home page 3/12/07 Revised 5/13/08