In a recent medical overview it was clarified that while upper back pain is commonly experienced, it can occasionally be indicative of more severe issues, such as certain types of cancer. Specifically, thoracic spine pain, located in the mid-upper back, can be a symptom associated with bone metastasis from lung cancer, particularly when the disease has spread to the spine.
Lung cancers usually remain asymptomatic until they have reached an advanced stage with metastasis. Once lung cancer has metastasized to the bones, one of the frequent sites affected is the spine, potentially causing significant back pain. Around 30% of individuals diagnosed with cancer will develop spinal metastasis, with the majority of these cases impacting the thoracic spine.
Spinal cancer presents itself in two forms: primary spinal cancer, where the disease originates in the cells of the spine or surrounding areas, and metastatic spinal cancer — also known as spinal metastasis or secondary spinal tumors — which occurs when cancer has spread to the spine from another area of the body. Although primary spinal cancer is relatively rare and often benign, the pain it causes can mimic that of more common conditions. Seeking timely medical evaluation is crucial for accurate diagnosis and management.
Source: Medical News Today