Lung cancer and shoulder pain: What's the link? 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Less frequently, shoulder pain can be a symptom of lung cancer. Although shoulder pain is not a common symptom of lung cancer, any persistent, unexplained pain warrants a visit to a doctor for further investigation. This article explains the links between different types of lung cancer and shoulder pain. It also identifies other potential causes of this symptom. Lung cancer and shoulder pain Share on PinterestBetsie Van der Meer/Getty ImagesLung cancer can cause referred pain in the shoulder. Referred pain means that pain starts in one area of the body, but a person experiences it in a different area. Some types of lung cancer are more likely than others to cause referred pain. Pancoast lung cancer tumors Pancoast tumors are a relatively rare form of lung cancer. They account for 3–5% of incidences of lung cancer. These tumors develop in a groove called the superior sulcus at the top of the lungs. They often cause intense shoulder pain on the same side of the body as the affected lung because the superior sulcus is close to the shoulder. If a Pancoast tumor affects the brachial plexus — which is a network of nerves at the top of the shoulders — it can cause pain in the shoulder and arm. The pain can radiate to the head, neck, and chest. A person may also experience weakness, pain, or tingling in their hands and fingers. 96% of people with Pancoast lung cancer tumors report shoulder pain as one of the first symptoms. Horner s syndrome Some people with a Pancoast tumor may experience a group of symptoms called Horner s syndrome, which can further contribute to shoulder pain. This syndrome can also cause asymmetrical symptoms such as:a droopy eyelid on the affected sideshrinking in one pupilchanges in sweating, such as reduced sweating on one side of the facethe sinking of an eyeball into the bony cavity While the symptoms of Horner s syndrome are typically mild, the underlying cause will likely require a timely diagnosis and immediate treatment. Learn more about Pancoast syndrome, Pancoast tumors, and Horner s syndrome here. Mesothelioma Mesothelioma is a type of lung cancer that usually develops as a result of long-term exposure to asbestos. The symptoms of mesothelioma are similar to those of other types of lung cancer. Shoulder pain may also be a symptom of mesothelioma, but doctors do not know how common this is. Other symptoms of mesothelioma include:shortness of breathpain in one side of the chesthoarseness and coughing trouble swallowing swelling in the face and arms Typically, mesothelioma symptoms take approximately 40 years before they develop. Symptoms of mesothelioma can sometimes be mistaken for arthritis. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 49.6% of people aged 65 or older have a diagnosis of arthritis. Because mesothelioma and arthritis affect people of a similar age, people with shoulder pain due to mesothelioma may dismiss their symptoms as arthritis. This can delay diagnosis and worsen their outlook. Metastatic lung cancer Metastatic lung cancer is cancer that has spread to other areas of the body. When lung cancer spreads to nearby regions, such as the bones and lymph nodes, shoulder pain may occur. Metastatic lung cancer can cause a range of symptoms specific to the body system that it affects. For example, lung cancer that spreads to the liver may cause symptoms of jaundice, such as yellow skin. Depending on where the cancer has spread, other common symptoms of metastatic lung cancer include:coughing up bloodunexplained weight lossfluid around the lungs How does it feel Share on Pinterest There is no specific characteristic that defines the shoulder pain symptoms of lung cancer. One study of shoulder pain in people with mesothelioma found that the participants ranked the pain intensity as 4 out of 10 on average. A few people in the study, however, experienced more significant symptoms. These included decreased mobility. Where is shoulder pain located with lung cancer Some cancer-related shoulder pain, such as the pain that Pancoast tumors cause, may start in the shoulder and radiate to the head, neck, and chest. Some people with cancer-related shoulder pain also experience pain in the arms that radiates down to the hands. Numbness and tingling may sometimes occur in the hand and fingers of the affected side. Other symptoms Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common type of lung cancer. Other symptoms of NSCLC include:a persistent coughcoughing up blood or rust-colored mucushoarseness or wheezingunexplained weight lossbreathlessnessfatigue and weaknesschest discomfort or painrepeated respiratory infections, such as bronchitis and pneumonia, that do not go away or keep coming back Common causes of shoulder pain Most cases of shoulder pain occur due to poor posture or muscle strains. The most common causes of this pain include:Short-term injuries: These may occur due to overextending or overusing muscles in the shoulder. Symptoms typically only present in the injured joint.Referred pain from other areas of the body: Neck and back pain may trigger aching in the shoulder. Weakness in one muscle can cause the shoulder muscles to overcompensate, leading to pain.Injuries in the spine: These may include herniated disks, which put pressure on certain nerves. Some of these nerves lead to the shoulder.Osteoarthritis: This is a degenerative condition that progresses as the cartilage wears down between the joints.Rheumatoid arthritis (RA): RA is a long-term inflammatory condition that can sometimes affect the shoulder. It occurs when the immune system attacks the joints, causing pain and inflammation.Tears in the rotator cuff: This shoulder injury impairs a person’s ability to move, rotate, and lift their arm.Frozen shoulder: This is an injury that limits mobility in the shoulder. Underuse, RA, and unusual tissue growth in the shoulder may cause frozen shoulder.Poor posture: Slumping over a computer, holding the body in an awkward position for extended periods, and craning the neck can all cause tension and pain in the shoulders. The pain may spread to the neck and back. Less frequently, various diseases can irritate the nerves of the shoulder, triggering pain. Heart disease, gallbladder disease, and liver disease can all cause shoulder pain in this way. Nerve pain can cause tingling, numbness, or pins and needles in the shoulder. The area of the body that it affects often changes or expands over time. Learn more about the causes of shoulder pain here. Treatment for shoulder pain In many cases, shoulder pain is temporary and occurs due to overuse, strain, and minor injuries. To treat new shoulder pain, people should try:resting the injured shoulder, avoiding excessive movement or heavy liftingapplying an ice pack to reduce pain or a heat pack to reduce stiffnesscompressing the area with a bandage or wrap to reduce swellingkeeping the painful area elevated Some people also find that switching between heat and ice packs helps to increase blood flow, promote faster healing, and reduce pain. Gentle stretching, low-impact exercise, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, may also provide relief. People should visit a doctor if they experience shoulder pain that either lasts more than a few days, goes away and then returns or becomes unbearable. Depending on the cause, a doctor may recommend:physical therapyexercise therapysurgery to address structural issues or damagealternative treatments, such as acupuncture or chiropractic carepain relievers to reduce shoulder pain and improve mobility Coping with shoulder pain Long-term shoulder pain can range from mild to debilitating. Learning how to cope with shoulder pain that lasts a long time can help make it more bearable. People should not stop using the affected shoulder as this can prevent it from getting better. Keeping moving can stop the shoulder from freezing up. A person should continue their normal activities, taking regular breaks if needed. Some people may want to consider their sleeping arrangements and add extra pillows for shoulder support while they sleep. Healthcare professionals can give a person advice on how best to manage their pain.Learn more Learn more about shoulder pain causes, treatment, and more. What can cause shoulder pain?10 exercises for shoulder painEverything you need to know about chronic shoulder pain Outlook for people with lung cancer Lung cancer is one of the most dangerous forms of cancer because it can spread rapidly. Among those in whom a doctor detects and treats lung cancer before it spreads, about 56% will live for 5 years beyond diagnosis. However, once lung cancer reaches distant sites in the body, the 5-year survival rate reduces to 5%. For the best chance of survival, people who have symptoms of lung cancer should seek prompt medical treatment. The treatment options for lung cancer depend on the type of cancer and whether it has spread to other areas of the body. Some common treatments include:surgery to remove tumorschemotherapy and radiation treatmentdrugs that block or interfere with the growth of tumors or treat other symptoms of cancerimmunotherapy, which is a treatment that supports the immune system to fight cancer cells These options may improve a person’s outlook if a doctor detects lung cancer before it spreads. Once lung cancer reaches the lymph nodes and distant organs, the outlook becomes worse. For people with lung cancer who have a poor outlook, treatment can help improve their quality of life. However, recognizing symptoms early on is critical for improving the life expectancy of a person with lung cancer. It is vital to seek medical attention for any persistent or particularly intense shoulder pain. Learn more about the early symptoms of lung cancer here. Q Does lung cancer spread quicker than other cancers?Anonymous A The rate at which lung cancer spreads depends on its type and its stage at diagnosis, as well as the person’s health status and response to treatment, among other factors. According to the American Cancer Society, large cell (undifferentiated) carcinoma is a type of NSCLC lung cancer that tends to grow and spread quickly, which can make it harder to treat. How this compares with other types of cancer is not yet known, however. Large studies evaluating the spread of lung cancers compared with that of other cancers are necessary to confirm the answer to this question.Christina Chun, MPHAnswers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice. Summary Shoulder pain is not a common symptom of lung cancer. However, in rare cases, it can be an early indication of Pancoast tumors or mesothelioma. In most cases, shoulder pain is temporary and occurs due to overuse, strain, and minor injuries. However, any persistent, unexplained pain warrants a visit to a doctor for further investigation. Last medically reviewed on May 19, 2022Body AchesLung CancerCancer / OncologyPain / Anesthetics 14 sourcescollapsedMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.Arthritis related statistics. (2021).https://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/data_statistics/arthritis-related-stats.htmAl Shammari, M., et al. (2020). Pancoast tumor: The overlooked etiology of shoulder pain in smokers.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7508304/Key statistics about malignant mesothelioma. (2019).https://www.cancer.org/cancer/malignant-mesothelioma/about/key-statistics.htmlLorkowski, J., et al. (2015). Shoulder ring complaints as a rare first symptom of malignant pleural mesothelioma [Abstract]. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25724794Lung cancer fact sheet. (2020).http://www.lung.org/lung-health-and-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/lung-cancer/resource-library/lung-cancer-fact-sheet.htmlLung metastases. (n.d.).https://www.cancer.org/treatment/understanding-your-diagnosis/advanced-cancer/lung-metastases.htmlReid, A., et al. (2014). Mesothelioma risk after 40 years since first exposure to asbestos: A pooled analysis.https://thorax.bmj.com/content/thoraxjnl/69/9/843.full.pdfShoulder pain. (n.d.).https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/Shoulder-painShoulder pain and common shoulder problems. (2018).https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/shoulder-pain-and-common-shoulder-problems/Signs and symptoms of lung cancer. (2019).https://www.cancer.org/cancer/lung-cancer/prevention-and-early-detection/signs-and-symptoms.htmlSigns and symptoms of mesothelioma. (2018).https://www.cancer.org/cancer/malignant-mesothelioma/detection-diagnosis-staging/signs-symptoms.htmlVillgran, V. D., et al. (2022). Pancoast syndrome.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482155/What are the types of lung cancer treatment? (2021).https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/lung-cancer/treatment/types-of-treatmentWhat is lung cancer? (2019).https://www.cancer.org/content/cancer/en/cancer/lung-cancer/about/what-is.htmlFEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Julie Scott, DNP, ANP-BC, AOCNP — By Zawn Villines and Hana Ames — Updated on July 4, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? Their unusually large neuronsOmega-3 may provide a brain boost for people in midlifeSeasonal affective disorder (SAD): How to beat it this fall and winterCDC: Monkeypox in the US 'unlikely to be eliminated in the near future'Why are more women prone to Alzheimer's? New clues arise Related CoverageWhat can cause chest and shoulder pain?Medically reviewed by Alana Biggers, M.D., MPH Chest and shoulder pain can occur due to conditions that affect the heart and lungs. Learn more about some causes of chest and shoulder pain and their…READ MOREWhat to know about front shoulder painMedically reviewed by William Morrison, M.D. Pain in the front of the shoulder can have many potential causes, including muscle injury and torn ligaments. 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