Could back pain be secondary cancer?I had breast cancer nearly 2 years ago. Had lumpectomy, chemo, radiation. Was on tamoxifen for 5 mths, then opted to have ovaries removed and am now on Femara. I have right sided back pain, got this checked a year ago and xray result was osteoarthritis. Also had a bone scan and no evidence of cancer. I took Glucosamine for the pain, and it help and seemed to go away. Find if I lie on my back for a while get pain there. Stopped glucosamine about 2 mths ago and now for the last week I have right sided back pain again. I started back on Glucoasamine again, and have been on it for about 5 days. I have researched this and maybe I should be on Glucosamine Sulphate and not the hydrochloride (?) one that I am on. I am sure it is just the osteoarthritis again, but there is always doubt in my mind and it tends to work overtime. I was 41 when diagnosed with cancer and am now 43. Just like some reasurrance, otherwise it will be a trip to the doctor. Thanks in advance
Sharon
Answer by lo_mcg
It's six years since I was diagnosed with breast cancer and it's only in the last year or so that I've stopped worrying that every ache and pain is secondary cancer.
I still worry about recurrence and mets, but less so and it's not my immediate thought on feeling any pain.
You're probably right, it probably is your osteoarthritis again; there's some reassurance in the fact that you had a clear bone scan last year.
But in your place I'd see my doctor. I once said to my doctor - at a time when I'd run panicking to him with a painful collarbone, a persistent cough, and a 'lump' that turned out to be scar tissue, all in the space of about four months: 'You must think I'm so silly'. His reply was 'The only time I'll think you're silly is when you DON'T come'.
Better safe than sorry
Answer by Panda
I don't want to unnecessarily alarm you, but the answer is yes that back pain could be a relapse of your cancer. You should see a doctor as soon as possible. I know this is scary but no one here can really reassure you what this is and with a history of breast cancer you really need to investigate further. My teenage son had relapsed abdominal sarcoma that spred to the diaphragm and liver . . in the last month of his life he had back and shoulder pain and his doctors said there was a nerve that runs up the back and if tumors were pressing on it than that was the cause of the pain.
Hopefully this will turn out to be nothing, but you should go and have it checked out.
Answer by Janet
I hope I can help, I too had breast cancer with a bi-lateral mastectomy. No breast at all now. Nor do I have any ovaries. However, I have 3 types of arthritis and osteo is one of them I'll tell you, it takes me a long time to get out of bed in the morning because the pain is so bad. You had the test to show you don't have bone cancer. It's a coincidence. You're not paranoid or anything, your bones are getting older. Mine are a lot older than yours. I have children 42, 41, they have the same complaints and tests show the same thing. Arthritis is hereditary. Especially, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid, So, keep taking whatever is making your feel better. I can't take any of that stuff because of other problems and all the meds I'm on. Seriously, I don't believe it's cancer, just old bones getting older and showing their age. I guess to be on the safe side, get it checked out. Don't ignore it. How long has it been since you had the bone scan? Just to be on the safe side. yes, get the older bones checked out again.
Answer by lunamiss
I had a friend who went through similar treatment and had really bad back pain a few years after completing treatment. Her results indicated that she had damage to her spine secondary to the radiation that was becoming symptomatic. I recall my radiation oncologist telling me about possible back problems years after treatment too because of the assault on the spinal tissue. I would still see a doc, but I hope you are encouraged that, while it might be sort of cancer related, it isn't necessarily another cancer.
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