Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Does Acute Mild Pain In The Chest, Shoulder And Back Indicate Lung Cancer?
Question: Dr,
I'm asking for a second opinion here:
I am a 68 year old worrier. I am a former smoker from age 17 to 35 one pack per day. I have stopped for over 30 years but still worry.
I am active play tennis 1-2 x per week and in seemingly good health. I had an acute mild pain in the back side of my right shoulder intermittent and a bit of mild pain in right chest below the breast wrapping around under my shoulder blade....same side as my tennis arm. I have no shortness of breath, no blood, no cough, no tiredness, no pain down the arm or into the hand...no drooping eye....no other symptoms. I had a Chest X-ray in 6/16 which was clear. I do have moderate stenosis in my neck and have had an impingement in the same shoulder as well as frozen shoulder 6-7 years ago. Is it very likely muscleskelatal or neck and not my lungs....would the chest x ray have shown something 19-20 months ago. I always get scared...can hardly stand to get an X-ray...the worry brings me to tears. Thank you.
Would lung cancer ever present this way...with mild intermittent ache.
I'm asking for a second opinion here:
I am a 68 year old worrier. I am a former smoker from age 17 to 35 one pack per day. I have stopped for over 30 years but still worry.
I am active play tennis 1-2 x per week and in seemingly good health. I had an acute mild pain in the back side of my right shoulder intermittent and a bit of mild pain in right chest below the breast wrapping around under my shoulder blade....same side as my tennis arm. I have no shortness of breath, no blood, no cough, no tiredness, no pain down the arm or into the hand...no drooping eye....no other symptoms. I had a Chest X-ray in 6/16 which was clear. I do have moderate stenosis in my neck and have had an impingement in the same shoulder as well as frozen shoulder 6-7 years ago. Is it very likely muscleskelatal or neck and not my lungs....would the chest x ray have shown something 19-20 months ago. I always get scared...can hardly stand to get an X-ray...the worry brings me to tears. Thank you.
Would lung cancer ever present this way...with mild intermittent ache.
Brief Answer:
Probably not
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
But the symptoms you are experiencing are not suggestive with lung cancer. Pain produced with lung tumours usually worsens when taking a deep breath, coughing or laughing.
It is also usually associated with shortness of breath, weight loss, constant fatigue and may present with coughing blood.
However, for your peace of mind, I would recommend that you get a chest ct scan to exclude the presence of any pathology together with an ECG and an echocardiogram to exclude cardiac insufficiency as a cause of the pain.
Hope I have answered your query.
Take care
Regards,
Dr Salah Saad Shoman, Internal Medicine Specialist
Probably not
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
But the symptoms you are experiencing are not suggestive with lung cancer. Pain produced with lung tumours usually worsens when taking a deep breath, coughing or laughing.
It is also usually associated with shortness of breath, weight loss, constant fatigue and may present with coughing blood.
However, for your peace of mind, I would recommend that you get a chest ct scan to exclude the presence of any pathology together with an ECG and an echocardiogram to exclude cardiac insufficiency as a cause of the pain.
Hope I have answered your query.
Take care
Regards,
Dr Salah Saad Shoman, Internal Medicine Specialist
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
