The shoulder blade (scapula) is a triangular-shaped bone in your back that’s held up by an intricate network of muscles to enable arm movement.
Cancerous tumors can spread to the scapula and cause pain known as “referred pain.” Other potential sources include gallstones, peptic ulcers, acid reflux or pancreatitis – often with sharp or burning sensations worse at night.
Is Shoulder Blade Pain a Sign of Cancer?
Worried about persistent or recurring shoulder blade pain?
Everyday we use our shoulders for tasks as varied as washing our hair, driving our cars, opening doors and reaching for sugar in our coffee cups. Any pain in or around the shoulder blade – known as scapulae – may inhibit us from accomplishing these and other daily activities effectively.
The shoulder is an intricate structure made up of muscles, tendons and ligaments attached to its bones by numerous joints; such as the acromioclavicular joint. Issues that affect these structures may lead to discomfort in these bones and muscles as a whole.
Shoulder pain can be an early indicator that lung cancer has spread to bones and tissues near or in or around the shoulder. Pleural mesothelioma, a type of cancer affecting lung lining tissue that usually presents itself in chest pain, also shows itself with shoulder symptoms that manifest themselves as pain in or around the shoulder area.
Other telltale signs are coughing or shortness of breath as potential indicators that a lung cancer has reached into or spread around a shoulder area – it is important that anyone experiencing persistent shoulder discomfort that interferes with daily life activities to consult their physician immediately.
Worried that your pain could be a symptom of cancer?
If your pain is accompanied by symptoms like weakness, fatigue, unintended weight loss, fever, coughing up blood or difficulty breathing it should be evaluated by a medical provider; such symptoms could indicate lung cancer.
Lung cancer that has metastasized to the ribs or thoracic spine may lead to shoulder blade pain; this condition is known as osseous metastasis. Other cancers that spread to bones include breast, colon, ovarian and kidney cancers.
Pancoast tumors (also called lung cancer) often lead to shoulder or arm pain, with patients also experiencing numbness or tingling sensations in their arms – this symptom known as Horner’s syndrome.
Malignant mesothelioma, a type of lung cancer, may also cause shoulder or arm discomfort and affect not only lung tissue but also the ribs, lungs, and sternum.
Worried that your pain could be a symptom of lung cancer?
Metastasis refers to when lung cancer spreads to bones and organs near the shoulder blade, often manifested by shoulder pain as a symptom. Numbness or tingling sensations may also arise in arms from this form of lung cancer known as Pancoast tumor, which often originates in one lung’s upper part and spreads to nearby ribs, vertebrae, nerves and blood vessels before becoming visible to doctors.
Pancoast tumors tend to present with less obvious lung cancer symptoms, like coughing up blood or shortness of breath. They’re also harder to diagnose because they can “hide” on chest X-rays.
Mesothelioma, another form of lung cancer that can cause shoulder pain, typically affects the lungs but may spread to nearby areas as well. Mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure and can lead to numerous symptoms like joint and shoulder ache as well as cancerous growths in its early stages.
Worried that your pain could be a symptom of pancoast tumor?
Pancoast tumors are cancers that form at the top of a lung (its apex). Although uncommon, these tumors can sometimes spread into nearby organs such as your ribs, spine, nerves or blood vessels and lead to unique symptoms.
Referred pain can arise when tumors press on nerves nearby and create pressure that leads to discomfort in your chest, shoulder and back as well as in arms, legs and hands. As the tumor expands and advances further, scapula pain may increase significantly as well.
Mesothelioma, a rare type of lung cancer caused by exposure to asbestos, often results in coughing and breathing issues in addition to shoulder pain.
While its main symptoms relate to the lung itself, mesothelioma can also produce nerve-based discomfort that feels sharp or burning when detected in muscles and bones surrounding your scapula – known as neuropathic pain.
What Is a Pancoast Tumor and How Does It Cause Shoulder Blade Pain
A Pancoast tumor, a rare form of lung cancer, originates in the upper part of the lung, specifically above the first rib. Its name honors Henry Pancoast, who initially described this type of tumor in 1924. Positioned at the top section of the lung, it can lead to discomfort in the shoulder blade and weakness in the arm.
Additionally, it may affect neighboring structures like the ribs, neck, ulnar nerve, and brachial plexus, resulting in pain that radiates through the shoulder, arm, and hand.
The symptoms of a Pancoast tumor collectively form what is known as Pancoast syndrome. These symptoms encompass severe shoulder pain, including pain in the shoulder blade, radiating down the arm and stopping at the wrist.
Other indicators include weakness in the arm and hand, neck pain, upper rib discomfort, swelling in the upper arm, reduced dexterity in the hand and fingers, tingling or numbness in the hand, fatigue, chest tightness, and unexplained weight loss.
If someone suspects they have a Pancoast tumor, it is vital for them to seek consultation from an oncologist who specializes in this specific type of cancer. Before initiating treatment for a Pancoast tumor, obtaining a definite diagnosis becomes imperative.
While it is true that Pancoast tumors are not curable, there are effective management strategies available such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery.
What Are Some Non-cancer Related Causes of Shoulder Blade Pain
Shoulder blade pain has various non-cancer causes.
– Uncomfortable sleep
– Heavy lifting strain
– Physical trauma from hits, falls, accidents
– Ankylosing spondylitis (spinal arthritis causing inflammation)
– Injuries: rotator cuff tears, spine fractures, shoulder dislocation
– Disc degeneration, herniation, bulging; scoliosis; osteoarthritis in neck, spine, ribs; spinal stenosis
– Acid reflux
– Fibromyalgia, shingles, myofascial pain syndrome
– Nerve compression
– Heart, liver, gallbladder disease
Consult a healthcare professional if pain worsens at night or persists beyond days.
