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What Causes Shoulder Pain And Head Pressure When Diagnosed With Basal Cell Cancer?
Question: I have been diagnosed with superfucial and nodular basal cell cancer at the top of my head. I am doinot zyclara for 2 weeks then heal for 2 then the Moss surgery. I have had pressure on the back of my head for a few months ow...mostly when I lay in the same position. I also have right shoulder pain which could be causing my head pressure. Can this just be a side effect of the basal? I am also experiencing major anxiety but I had the head pressure before my diagnosis. Thank you, XXXX
Brief Answer:
Cervical spine disorders should be considered.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for using HCM.
I have read your question and understand your concerns.
Shoulder pain could arise from cervical spine conditions such cervical spine degenerative disease and, if upper cervical segments are affected too, headaches could be related to it too.
It could be related to basal cell cancer of the head skin if lymphonodes of the cervical region are enlarged and are causing pressure on adjacent nerves and blood vessels.
If the head pressure or pain is located around the surgical site and if this begun after Mohs surgery, then your symptoms are related to surgical procedure.
All these issues are amplified by anxiety disorder.
In my opinion, your symptoms arise from cervical spine problems, so, I suggest you to discuss with your treating Doctor about being checked further with imaging studies such x-rays and cervical spine MRI, even to exclude them.
If all clear after examinations, you should deal with anxiety disorder.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Greetings.
Cervical spine disorders should be considered.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for using HCM.
I have read your question and understand your concerns.
Shoulder pain could arise from cervical spine conditions such cervical spine degenerative disease and, if upper cervical segments are affected too, headaches could be related to it too.
It could be related to basal cell cancer of the head skin if lymphonodes of the cervical region are enlarged and are causing pressure on adjacent nerves and blood vessels.
If the head pressure or pain is located around the surgical site and if this begun after Mohs surgery, then your symptoms are related to surgical procedure.
All these issues are amplified by anxiety disorder.
In my opinion, your symptoms arise from cervical spine problems, so, I suggest you to discuss with your treating Doctor about being checked further with imaging studies such x-rays and cervical spine MRI, even to exclude them.
If all clear after examinations, you should deal with anxiety disorder.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Greetings.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Naveen Kumar
Thank you for the information. My dermatologist said that the basal cell is not aggressive and can't invade my body or lymphnodes. Do you think I am experiencing 2 different things. Could the superficial/nodular basal being causing tension headaches. My dad also has a history of pinched nerves in his neck. To be clear, my neck is not stiff. If I push on my neck & shoulder muscles they r sore. I do feel likeyou anxiety from all this is intensifying it all. I just don't know if it's super serious or not?
Brief Answer:
Two different conditions is a possibility.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back.
Since the skin cancer isn't invasive, there could be two different conditions that may cause your symptoms, in other words, pinched nerve(s) is causing shoulder pain and skin cancer is causing headaches.
In my opinion, the situation seems to be not that serious, in other words, there's only pain, but not any untreatable condition.
Hope I helped you.
Best regards.
Two different conditions is a possibility.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back.
Since the skin cancer isn't invasive, there could be two different conditions that may cause your symptoms, in other words, pinched nerve(s) is causing shoulder pain and skin cancer is causing headaches.
In my opinion, the situation seems to be not that serious, in other words, there's only pain, but not any untreatable condition.
Hope I helped you.
Best regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Thank you...that was calming. Since I am this worried should I see a neurologist or trust my dermatologist? If my dermatologist said my cancer is non aggressive should I completely be ok with that? Sorry I won't ask any more questions. Thank you!
Brief Answer:
You can trust your Dermatologist.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back.
I think you should trust your Dermatologist about the skin cancer issues, you can be okay with that.
In the other hand, you can see a Neurologist about shoulder pain and headaches, to understand better the source of these symptoms.
Also, you can ask as many questions as you need, don't worry about it.
Wishing you good health.
You can trust your Dermatologist.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back.
I think you should trust your Dermatologist about the skin cancer issues, you can be okay with that.
In the other hand, you can see a Neurologist about shoulder pain and headaches, to understand better the source of these symptoms.
Also, you can ask as many questions as you need, don't worry about it.
Wishing you good health.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Can I ask one other thing to be clearer? The only time I noticed pressure on the back of my head prior to beingredients diagnosed only a week ago was when I layed flat on my head for too long. Now my headaches/pressure not pain are worse. I know anxiety can cause this but can the superficial basal cell cause headache/pressure too? I had an initial scraping too which could hv irritated my head and now can Zyclara being causing more? It's such a scary feeling! I'm meeting with a Dr tomorrow for him to tell me if my discomfort in my right shoulder is skeletal/muscular or of something else.
Thanks again u r such a help!
Thanks again u r such a help!
Brief Answer:
Irritation of nerves may cause such symptoms.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back and thanks for being on follow up.
Skin cancer may irritate nerves of that location too, and Zyclara, since it is a topical drug can affect nerve(s) function locally.
In the other hand, anxiety can cause feeling of head pressure independently, or can worsen existing symptoms.
Laying too long in a position may cause impairment of blood supply of the compressed area, resulting in pain, tingling or pressure feeling.
I don't think you have a good reason to be frightened.
Shoulder discomfort seems to be a separate problem and the cause should be clear after the medical examination.
Hope this helps.
Greetings.
Irritation of nerves may cause such symptoms.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back and thanks for being on follow up.
Skin cancer may irritate nerves of that location too, and Zyclara, since it is a topical drug can affect nerve(s) function locally.
In the other hand, anxiety can cause feeling of head pressure independently, or can worsen existing symptoms.
Laying too long in a position may cause impairment of blood supply of the compressed area, resulting in pain, tingling or pressure feeling.
I don't think you have a good reason to be frightened.
Shoulder discomfort seems to be a separate problem and the cause should be clear after the medical examination.
Hope this helps.
Greetings.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Naveen Kumar
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