Are shoulder, neck pains symptoms of cancer? Know more

Lung cancer, which happens due to unchecked cell growth in the lungs, is a leading cause of cancer deaths around the world. In most cases, the symptoms of lung cancer are shown only in the later stages of the disease. Prolonged cough and shortness of breath may be the most common symptoms of lung cancer. However, some other symptoms you are likely to miss may also be major signs of the disease.
When does shoulder pain become an indicator of lung cancer?
Sometimes, the patient may feel pain radiating to the shoulder and neck areas. You feel the pain when the lung cancer tumour presses against the nearby nerves. Besides, shoulder or neck pain becomes a symptom when lung cancer gets spread to the bones or around the shoulder area. Most people wouldn’t assume shoulder pain is a symptom of lung cancer as they think that the pain is due to unusual hand positioning while sleeping or sitting.

The tumour, located at the top of the lung, can pinch certain nerves and exert pressure on the blood vessels to the arm, causing pain, loss of arm strength, and pain that radiates to the shoulder and neck. Besides, you may also feel sharp pain at regular intervals. The tumour may also block the blood flow to the brain, which leads to inflammation or puffiness on the face.

The first symptoms of lung cancer
Recurring cough or pneumonia, even after proper medical treatment, maybe one of the first signs of lung cancer. Prolonged cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, throat pain, and unexplained weight loss are some of the other symptoms of lung cancer. Depending on the spot in the lungs where the tumour is detected, these symptoms may show up in the early stages of the disease. However, in most lung cancer cases, these symptoms appear only in the later stages.

Risk factors
Lung cancer is caused due to unregulated cell division or mutation. The cancer cells would enter the lymph nodes and soon move to other body parts. Meanwhile, experts have often stated that around 80 per cent of lung cancer deaths are due to excessive smoking. These are some of the other factors that might cause lung cancer.
1) Passive or second – hand smoking by non – smokers when they are exposed to the toxic fumes of a cigarette smoked by others.
2) Air pollution and contact with dangerous substances like radon, asbestos, and diesel that emit uranium, silica and coal.
3) If the patient had undergone radiation therapy for breast cancer or lymphoma.
4) History of lung cancer in the family.