Back pain and soreness are widespread conditions that affect all genders, races, and lifestyles. The causes for back pain are varied from injury, poor posture, arthritis, age, overuse, etc. If back pain is frequent, perhaps the last assumption is that the pain could be caused by cancer. While it’s far from the most common causes, cancer back pain is possible, which makes consulting a doctor that will figure out the root cause, especially if there are other non-related symptoms, and treat the back pain very important.

Cancer Back Pain

Back pain that could be caused by cancer usually occurs with other symptoms and include:

• Back pain that is not related to movement.
• Pain does not get worse with activity.
• Back pain usually presents at night or early in the morning and fades away or improves as the day progresses.
• Back pain persists even after physical therapy or other treatments.
• Changes in bowel movements or blood in urine or stool.
• Unexplained, sudden weight loss.
• Unexplained fatigue/exhaustion.
• Weakness, tingling, or numbness in the arms or legs.
• Back pain does not have to be severe to be cancer, as it can range in severity.
• Having a family history of cancer and these symptoms can increase the risk.

Types of Cancer That Can Contribute To Back Pain

Types of cancer that can form around, in, and near the spine can cause back pain. These include:

Spinal Tumor

• A spinal tumor can grow in the spinal bone or the membranes around the spinal cord.
• The spine is a common source for bone metastasis, where cancer starts in one location and spreads to others.
• 30 to 70 percent of individuals with cancer spreads to the spine, according to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons – AANS.

Lung

• Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers that can spread to the spine.
• A lung tumor can press on the spine, affecting nerve transmissions.
• An individual with lung cancer may notice becoming tired/fatigued more easily, shortness of breath, coughing up blood, and back pain.

Breast

• Rare but possible breast cancer symptom.
• Breast cancers can metastasize to the back.
• Like lung cancers, some breast cancer tumors can press on nerves connected to the spine, causing discomfort and pain.

Gastrointestinal

• Cancers of the stomach, colon, and rectum can cause back pain.
• The pain radiates from where the cancer is to the back.

Tissue and Blood Cancers

Blood and tissue cancers like:

• Multiple myeloma
• Lymphoma
• Melanoma
• Can cause back pain.

Diagnosing Cancer and Back Pain

Medical treatments for back pain-related cancer depend on its type and how advanced it is. A doctor will consider symptoms and medical history when diagnosing possible back pain causes. Because cancer is a rare cause of back pain, a doctor may recommend various treatments before a full cancer work-up. The doctor may order imaging studies and blood testing if the pain persists after chiropractic, physical therapy, or anti-inflammatory medications. These tests will help identify potential cancer markers causing back pain.

• Treatments usually include chemotherapy and radiation to shrink a tumor.
• A doctor will recommend surgery to remove a tumor.

Chiropractic

Cancer patients have found chiropractic treatment to be effective for:

• Pain management.
• Flexibility improvement.
• Mobility improvement.
• Strengthening muscles.
• Helping to reduce stress.
• Helping the body function more efficiently.

Chiropractic physiotherapy benefits patients undergoing chemotherapy, as it helps the body withstand the debilitating effects of the treatment based on the whole-body approach.

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Body Composition

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Don’t Hate Dieting

Individuals hate dieting, usually because they go about it the wrong way. Individuals do not need to starve themselves and live at the gym. Reaching quick weight loss goals might sound appealing; however, going through it for an extended time can make individuals feel:

• Tired
• Depressed
• Unmotivated

Individuals can find a nutrition plan/exercise balance that works for them and their lifestyle. For some individuals, dieting alone is effective, but more than likely, they have increased metabolisms. Trying to lose fat by only cutting calories can be difficult for individuals with smaller metabolisms. The goal is to find a balance between diet and exercise. This does not mean having to go on an extreme diet, skip meals, or cut out entire macronutrient groups like fat or carbs, as the body needs both of these nutrients. Finding a sustainable long-term nutrition plan takes planning and support. A dietician, nutritionist, or health coach can offer a variety of nutrition and exercise plans customized to the individual.

References

Downie, Aron et al. “Red flags to screen for malignancy and fracture in patients with low back pain: a systematic review.” BMJ (Clinical research ed.) vol. 347 f7095. 11 Dec. 2013, doi:10.1136/bmj.f7095

Mabry, Lance M et al. “Metastatic cancer mimicking mechanical low back pain: a case report.” The Journal of manual & manipulative therapy vol. 22,3 (2014): 162-9. doi:10.1179/2042618613Y.0000000056

Vasser, Melinda, and Matthew Koroscil. “When Back Pain Turns Deadly: An Unusual Presentation of Lung Cancer.” Respiratory medicine case reports vol. 29 101009. 28 Jan. 2020, doi:10.1016/j.rmcr.2020.101009

Verhagen, Arianne P et al. “Red flags presented in current low back pain guidelines: a review.” The European spine journal: official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society vol. 25,9 (2016): 2788-802. doi:10.1007/s00586-016-4684-0