Shoulder blade painis a sign of lung cancer in some people.
With that said, shoulder pain is not a definite sign of lung cancer.
Other diseases such as arthritis can cause pain in that area, too.
Verywell / Emily Roberts
Pancoast tumors often cause pain in the shoulder that radiates down the arm.
In some cases, this referred pain is due to a lung cancer tumor.
In about half of all cases, it’s the spine that is affected.
In one study it was found that 14% of patients developed shoulder pain as thefirstsymptom of mesothelioma.
Yet, there are a few symptoms that make lung cancer more likely.
They are sometimes vague, such as the gradual onset of shortness of breath with activity and fatigue.
If you’ve never smoked, you’re still at risk.
If there is any question at all, a chest CT scan is needed.
If the pain is related to bone metastases, treatment with radiation therapy and/orbone-modifying medicationsmay reduce symptoms significantly.
Certain types of lung cancer, including pancoast tumors, may be more likely to cause shoulder pain.
That’s also true if cancer has metastasized (spread) to the shoulder bone.
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