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Question
What is the back pain from pancreatic cancer like? I'm having pain in my lower back right under (not beneath) the rib cage. There are two VERY tender spots upon palpation in this area symmetrically placed around the spine (about 2-3 inches away from spine). The pain does not feel deep. It aches more when I am sitting and goes away when I am lying flat. Thank you.
Submitted: 276 days and 9 hours ago.
Category: Health
Value: $15
Status: CLOSED
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Age: 43; Male
Posted by
Dr. Mark
276 days and 9 hours ago.
Answer
Well, pancreatic cancer itself may not cause back pain until it is advanced, and by that time many people would have had other symptoms, such as weight loss, weakness, diarrhea, jaundice, etc.
However, pancreatic type pains are typically:
dull aching, in the center of the upper abdomen, that feels like it radiates straight back.
So most people will describe an abdominal pain that is aching toward the back of the spine.
The fact you simply have back pain, with tenderness to palpation seems to go away against pancreatic type pain (cancer or infection/inflammation called pancreatitis).
Of course, without an exam, it is really impossible to tell, but tenderness when you press in that area seems more like muscle strain causing the pain in the back, vs something in the abdomen.
276 days and 9 hours ago.
Reply
I have had some weight loss (5 lbs or so) over the last 5 months and abdominal pain that feels more like burning in the stomach or along the esophagus. My GI doctor did an upper endoscopy, colonoscopy, and CT scan of pelvis/abdomen and everything was normal. I have a very high fear of pancreatic cancer though, and I guess I like to ask these questions. Thanks for your help.
Accepted Answer
Your CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis ruled out any pancreatic mass, so it should be OK.
Expert:
Dr. Mark
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2/19/2009
Doctor (MD)
U.S. Physician/Surgeon in Neurosurgery
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