Tumors can cause pain by pressing on nerves, bones, organs or other tissues. The location of the pain depends on where the tumor is growing. For example, a tumor in the brain may cause headaches, a tumor in the lung may cause chest pain, and a tumor in the abdomen may cause belly pain. Let’s explore some common locations of cancerous tumors and the associated pain symptoms.
Brain Tumors
Brain tumors can cause a variety of neurological symptoms including:
Headaches
One of the most common symptoms of a brain tumor is headaches. The pain may be localized to one area of the head or may occur across the whole head. The headaches may be worst in the morning when lying down. The pain can range from mild to severe or debilitating.
Seizures
Seizures can occur if the brain tumor is pressing on areas of the brain involved in electrical signaling. Seizures cause abnormal electrical discharges in the brain leading to symptoms like muscle spasms, loss of awareness, and loss of bladder control.
Cognitive or Personality Changes
Brain tumors can affect cognition leading to symptoms like memory loss, confusion, changes in personality, vision loss, slurred speech, loss of smell, trouble swallowing or walking, and weakness or numbness on one side of the body.
Nausea and Vomiting
The pressure from a brain tumor can irritate the brain area responsible for nausea and vomiting leading to chronic nausea. This is especially common in the morning.
Balance Issues
Cerebellar tumors can affect balance and coordination. This leads to symptoms like dizziness, vertigo, trouble walking, and lack of coordination.
Lung Tumors
The most common symptoms of lung tumors include:
Chest Pain
Lung tumors can cause chest pain by pressing on the lining around the lungs called the pleura. This sharp, stabbing pain is worse with breathing, coughing or laughing. The pain may radiate to the back or shoulders.
Cough
Persistent cough is a common symptom of lung cancer, sometimes producing blood streaked sputum. The cough may start as dry but later produce phlegm. The tumor blocks airways causing the cough reflex.
Shortness of Breath
As the tumor grows, it takes up more space in the lungs making it harder to breathe. You may feel short of breath with exertion or even while at rest.
Wheezing or Hoarse Voice
The tumor can press on the tubes in the lungs causing them to narrow. This leads to wheezing sounds with breathing. If it presses on the nerve of the voice box, it can cause hoarseness.
Loss of Appetite and Weight Loss
Advanced lung tumors can cause you to lose your appetite and lose weight. This is from the toxins released by the cancer cells.
Colorectal Tumors
Colorectal cancers can cause:
Rectal Pain
Rectal pain is common as the tumor grows in the lower colon or rectum. It may feel like gas pains or cramps that come and go. The pain can be dull and constant or acute and sharp.
Abdominal Pain
Tumors in the colon may cause pain in the abdomen. This pain may initially come and go but can become persistent. It may be crampy, achy or tender to the touch.
Constipation
Constipation is a common early sign of colorectal cancer. Stools may be thinner than usual or feel obstructed. This occurs as the tumor blocks the bowel.
Blood in Stool
One of the hallmark symptoms is blood in the stool or rectal bleeding. The blood makes the stool appear dark or black and tarry.
Bloating
Some people have feelings of bloating, gas, and abdominal distension from the tumor growing and blocking the colon.
Pancreatic Tumors
The pancreas is located deep in the abdomen behind the stomach. Pancreatic cancer symptoms include:
Upper Abdominal Pain
As pancreatic cancer grows, it can cause upper abdominal pain that may radiate to the back. It can be a dull ache or a sharp, stabbing sensation. The pain often gets worse with eating.
Nausea and Vomiting
The tumor can obstruct digestion causing nausea after eating along with bouts of vomiting. This causes weight loss.
Jaundice
If the pancreatic tumor is near the bile ducts, it can cause jaundice. This is a yellowing of the eyes and skin from a build up of bilirubin. It leads to itching all over the body.
Blood Clots
Pancreatic cancer increases the risk of blood clots known as venous thromboembolism. These clots can cause pain, swelling, warmth and redness in the leg.
Belly Swelling
The pancreatic tumor may secrete excess hormones and digestive enzymes leading to bloating and abdominal swelling. Fluid can also accumulate in the abdomen called ascites.
Breast Cancer
The most common signs of breast cancer include:
Breast Lump or Mass
A new breast lump or mass is the most common symptom of breast cancer. They are usually hard, irregularly shaped, and painless although some may hurt. The lump can appear anywhere in the breast or armpit.
Nipple Changes
Some breast cancers cause changes in the nipple or surrounding skin. This includes nipple retraction, nipple discharge, scales, crusting or ulceration. The skin may become red, pitted or thickened.
Breast Pain
While most breast lumps are painless, some cancers can cause breast pain. The pain may be localized or affect the whole breast. It can be described as heavy, burning or aching.
Change in Breast Size or Shape
Advanced breast cancers can cause visible changes in the appearance of the breast. One breast may become larger or look swollen. The skin can take on an orange-peel like texture.
Swollen Lymph Nodes
Large, hard lymph nodes under the arm or around the collar bone can be felt in inflammatory breast cancer. This signals that the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes.
Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer may initially cause:
Frequent or Difficult Urination
The tumor puts pressure on the urethra making urination painful or slow. You may have the frequent urge to urinate but can only pass small amounts. Difficulty starting or stopping the urine stream is also common.
Blood in Urine or Semen
The tumor may cause blood to appear in the urine or semen. The blood makes the urine appear rusty, pink or red tinged. The semen appears brown-tinged.
Discomfort in Pelvis, Upper Thighs or Lower Back
As it grows larger, prostate cancer can cause dull pain in the lower back, pelvis, upper thighs or perineum. The discomfort may increase with sitting.
Erectile Dysfunction
Difficulty getting or maintaining erections can occur. The tumor presses on nerves and blood vessels required for erections.
Painful Ejaculation
Some men experience pain when ejaculating. The perineum area between the anus and scrotum becomes tender.
Conclusion
In summary, tumors can cause pain and discomfort in the area where they are growing. Being aware of new symptoms like headaches, abdominal pain, back pain, or pain localized to an area can help identify tumors early. Contact your doctor right away if you have any unexplained pain that persists or gets worse over time. Catching cancer early greatly improves the chances of successful treatment. Do not ignore new, unexplained pains especially if accompanied by other symptoms like weight loss, fever, or unusual bleeding.