Hi aprilbaby1,

Welcome to GRACE. I am sorry that you are experiencing these symptoms and I understand your anxiety. I can reassure you however, that a pancoast tumor is very unlikely in your situation. Though x-rays are pretty low resolution, it's fairly common for such a scan to reveal a pancoast tumor (if present) which has grown to a size that is causing symptoms. Second, pain caused by cancer tends to be constant and worsen over time. Finally, although patients your age can develop lung cancer, this happens much more frequently to older patients, since the cell mutations which lead to cancer take quite a few years to develop. 

Over the years we have seen many posts such as yours, but we haven't had any instances in which a patient of similar age returned to state that the cause of their  symptoms was indeed a pancoast tumor. So as difficult as it many be to do so, please try not to be overly concerned that such a tumor is the cause of your tingling, pain and other symptoms. Pancoast tumors are just not that common, and your symptoms are much more likely to be caused by musculoskeletal issues.

If you need further reassurance and your doctor and insurance are agreeable, a negative chest CT scan would essentially rule out a pancoast tumor.

I hope that you can find the true cause of your symptoms, as well as an intervention that will help you feel better very soon.

Jim C Forum Moderator

Hello.
I know this post is old so I hope I still get a reply.
I'm 50 year old female who has smoked 20 day since I was 15.. constantly attempting and failing at stopping. About 9 weeks ago I thought I hurt my shoulder in the gym.. I stopped using it and eventually stopped the gym. My shoulder has been rested since the first week. However the pain has got worse and now spreading down my arm in to the inside of my elbow and to the middle of my hand. I have limited movement and initially thought it was a rotary cuff injury but the weeks of rest hasn't helped. It is worse at night which ever side I sleep. It's a constant ache but also sharp unbearable pain in certain positions. It wakes me at night, and I have weakness in that arm. I am going to the doctors soon and will say I'm concerned about pancoast tumor but worried they will brush me off as paranoid. I want to ask for an tray.. but would I ask for a shoulder or chest xray?
Thanks for listening
Mel

Hi Mel, I'm sorry for the delayed response.  I wrote one yesterday, but I must not have submitted it.  You probably don't have a pancoast tumor but you definitely want to get things checked out. An aggravated nerve will only get more aggravated. 

Your doctor will probably not look for a pancoast tumor first because the chances are much much more likely to be a nerve being aggravated.  In that case you might get an x-ray or an MRI, either might (if pointed in the right direction) pick up a tumor.  At 50 you probably have something going on in your spine that could be causing the problem so PT might be the next move.  I hope that is enough to solve your issues.  If not, then a chest CT may be done.  That would pick up a tumor.  

You may be eligible for a low-dose chest CT lung cancer screening scan since you have smoked most of your life, which would definitely show a pancoast tumor that's causing pain.  The screening, if eligible, would be an option no matter your current symptoms.  

Best of luck and keep us posted,

Janine