After all these years of practicing medicine, I realized a truth: "The king of Hades told you to die on the third watch, and no one can keep you until the fifth watch." "Especially the patient who was diagnosed with terminal cancer made me feel the impermanence of life again.
He obviously has back pain, why is it late! Looking at the report in front of them, the patient's family couldn't believe it, and they didn't know how to calm down for a while.
When the patient came to the clinic, he only seemed to have a little pain in his back, and there were no other symptoms that were particularly serious. But everyone doesn't know that this patient has advanced lung cancer, and everyone must know what it means to be at an advanced stage.
Thinking back to this patient, even if he was unwilling, he was more powerless. In his fifties, his son had just gotten married, and he finally settled everything and was ready to enjoy the rest of his life, but he was targeted by illness like this.
In fact, long before the diagnosis, the patient's back pain had been occurring for a long time, but he had always regarded this pain as caused by overwork, and went to acupuncture and massage several times, but it never improved, so he missed the best diagnosis and treatment period again and again, until it finally became an irreparable tragedy.
Perhaps many people find this incredible, even fantastical. As everyone knows, there are many tragic and unexpected cases happening every moment.
The world is big, and there are things we haven't seen before, but that doesn't mean it won't happen.
Back pain caused by cancer, also known as cancer pain in clinical practice, is mostly persistent and may gradually worsen in the later stage. Although the most common symptoms of lung cancer are respiratory symptoms, such as cough, chest pain, and blood in the sputum, the main symptom of 12% of lung cancer patients is shoulder and back pain.
Shoulder and back pain is so common, so it is easy to be regarded as frozen shoulder and cervical spondylosis, etc., and as a result, the best time is missed.
In fact, not only lung cancer, but also many cancers can cause shoulder and back pain. So, why does cancer cause back pain? Generally, it is related to three reasons.
First, it is caused by tumor compression. Sometimes, a tumor that grows in the spine or in an organ near the spine can compress the nerves or spine, causing back pain.
Second, the result of bone metastasis. Some cancers, such as lung cancer, sometimes metastasize to the bones, which can also cause bone pain.
Third, the immune response. Cancer has the potential to cause an immune response in the body, which can lead to inflammation and pain.
Back pain, be wary of the following four cancers!
Colon cancer. Some patients with advanced colon cancer experience back pain, which is usually associated with metastasis. For example, liver metastases and kidney metastases can cause swelling of the liver and kidneys, which in turn can cause back pain; Bone metastases can cause localized pain in the bones and symptoms of back pain. It is important to note that the back pain here tends to manifest as persistent pain, back swelling, and some patients may be accompanied by symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite.
Lung cancer. Usually, early-stage lung cancer does not cause symptoms of back pain. However, as the lesion progresses and the condition is not controlled, the tumor may invade the pleura, pleural effusion, metastasize of the tumor bone to the thoracic spine, etc., and eventually cause back pain.
Back pain caused by lung cancer is generally manifested as dull or dull pain, which may be persistent, and will not be significantly relieved even after rest, and the effect of medication** is still not obvious.
When the tumor grows and compresses the surrounding tissues and organs, it may manifest as a compressive pain in the back. If the tumour is located on the medial side of the upper lobe near the mediastinum, the patient will have persistent pain in the shoulder or chest and back on the affected side.
Hepatocarcinoma. The pain caused by liver cancer is generally in the liver area, that is, the right upper quadrant and right hypochondrium of our body, and in some patients, it is under the xiphoid process.
As the disease progresses, cancer cells may invade organs or tissues around the liver and cause pain in the right back. The pain is usually radiating or referential, and is often accompanied by other symptoms such as jaundice, fatigue, loss of appetite, and unexplained weight loss.
Pancreatic cancer. Because the pancreas is located deep in our abdominal cavity and is surrounded by many nerves and blood vessels, when the tumor grows and spreads, it may stimulate and compress the peripheral nerves or blood vessels, invade the related nerves in the back, and then cause back pain.
In fact, the most common symptom of pancreatic cancer is abdominal discomfort or abdominal pain, but as the disease progresses, it can evolve into mid-upper quadrant pain or persistent severe back pain, which is generally persistent and gradually worsens, more pronounced at night or when lying on your back, and slightly relieved when you lie prone or bend your body.
It is important to note that acute pancreatitis can also present with the above symptoms. I once had a patient who had a sudden back pain after drinking alcohol, and the pain worsened whenever he was lying on his back and less when he bent over his knees.
After carrying it overnight, the patient went to the hospital and was diagnosed with acute severe pancreatitis. Originally, the patient wanted to give up **, but the patient's wife was resolute and said that even if she smashed the pot and sold iron, she would be treated.
Eventually, the wife came home and sold the house. In fact, we are also afraid of this situation, and we are very afraid that patients will end up with no money and money. But fortunately, the results were not bad, and the patient improved significantly after **, and was discharged from the hospital not long after.
This case is actually a reminder that back pain must be taken seriously, because it is not only a sign of some cancer, but also a sign of certain diseases.
Left back pain, for example, may indicate angina, acute aortic dissection, and myocardial infarction.
During an angina attack, there will be significant pain in the precordial area, but it is not absolute, and pain may occur in the back, left shoulder, jaw, etc. Therefore, if you have pain in these areas and suspect angina, you can go to the hospital for electrocardiogram, coronary angiography and electrocardiogram stress test.
Pain in the chest, back, and abdomen that develops within a very short period of time and becomes more severe, even evolving into tearing pain, may be acute aortic dissection. It is important to note that this pain often starts in the front chest and extends to the back.
If there is pain in the chest and concurrent neuralgia in the back, myocardial infarction is highly suspected, and the pain is often worse with activity and then lessens with rest.
Pain on both sides of the lower back may suggest acute nephritis.
If you have a sore or dull pain in the lower back and the pain continues to worsen, especially if it spreads along the ureters, you should consider the possibility of acute nephritis, kidney stones, hydronephrosis and renal tuberculosis.
Tank top pain may indicate duodenal ulcers.
When a duodenal ulcer is present, it can irritate the celiac plexus, causing pain that radiates to the back, especially the vest area.
In any case, if you have any unexplained back pain, you must seek medical attention in time. Because no illness can be left to chance, and the result of luck is often greater regret and tragedy.