Can Melanoma Cause Back Pain

Causes And Prevention Of Melanoma

Melanoma is caused by a number of factors such as genes and fairness of skin. This is not really something you can control, but rather, be aware that your personal DNA raises your susceptibility to the disease and avoid additional environmental triggers. These outside instigators can be prevented in most cases. Tanning and excessive sun exposure can do this due to the carcinogenic effects of UV radiation. Wear sunblock or appropriate clothes in order to limit damage to your skin. Also, keep in mind, it is a very rare disease. You shouldnt freak out if you get burned or end up with freckle spots.

When To See A Healthcare Provider

Most back pain resolves over a few weeks with conservative treatment. If you have unexplained back pain or pain that persists for longer than six weeks, it is best to seek the advice of a healthcare provider.

If you have back pain along with weakness, difficulty walking, pain when awakening in the morning, or loss of bowel or bladder control you should be examined immediately, as these symptoms can indicate a more serious problem.

If your back pain persists after conservative treatment, let your healthcare provider know. They may refer you to a specialist for further evaluation. Injections to help with the pain can help, or surgery could be necessary. Back pain that is accompanied by signs of cancer should be further evaluated.

The Abcdes Of Melanoma

To help people find a possible melanoma on their skin, dermatologists created the ABCDEs of melanoma:

If you find a spot on your skin that has any of the ABCDEs of melanoma, see a board-certified dermatologist for a skin exam.

The following pictures can help you see how the ABCDEs of melanoma can appear on the skin.

Read Also: Can You Have Cancer Without A Tumor

Itch And Pain In Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer: Pain As An Important Feature Of Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Correspondence:

Pain is a common feature of cancer with an estimated prevalence rate between 52% and 77%. Itch is the most common dermatologic symptom and is also a common feature of lymphoma. However, no studies have been performed examining the prevalence rates of pain and itch in common skin cancers. Squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma are the 2 most common types of nonmelanoma skin cancer . They have a rapidly increasing incidence in the United States, with nearly 4 million new cases of NMSC diagnosed each year. The purpose of the present study was to assess the prevalence and intensity of pain and itch among the 2 most common skin cancers.

What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Melanoma

Melanoma is a skin cancer that can show up on the skin in many ways. It can look like a:

• Changing mole

• Spot that looks like a new mole, freckle, or age spot, but it looks different from the others on your skin

• Spot that has a jagged border, more than one color, and is growing

• Dome-shaped growth that feels firm and may look like a sore, which may bleed

• Dark-brown or black vertical line beneath a fingernail or toenail

• Band of darker skin around a fingernail or toenail

• Slowly growing patch of thick skin that looks like a scar

Early melanoma

This early melanoma could be mistaken for a mole, so its important to look carefully at the spots on your skin.

Read Also: Invasive Ductal Breast Cancer Prognosis

Can You Prevent Melanoma

The best way to prevent all kinds of skin cancer, including melanoma, is to protect yourself whenever you are out in the sun.

• Try to stay out of the sun during the middle of the day .
• Wear sun-protective clothes when you are outside, such as a hat that shades your face, a long-sleeved shirt, and long pants.
• Use sunscreen every day. Your sunscreen should have an SPF of least 30. Look for a sunscreen that protects against both types of UV radiation in the sun’s raysâUVA and UVB. When you are outdoors for long periods of time, reapply sunscreen every 2 hours.
• Take extra care to protect your skin when you’re near water, at higher elevations, or in tropical climates.
• Avoid sunbathing and tanning salons.

Check your skin regularly for odd marks, moles, or sores that will not heal. Check all of your skin, but pay extra attention to areas that get a lot of sun, such as your hands, arms, and back. Ask your doctor to check your skin during regular physical exams.

What Is A Melanocyte

Melanocytes are skin cells found in the upper layer of skin. They produce a pigment known as melanin, which gives skin its color. There are two types of melanin: eumelanin and pheomelanin. When skin is exposed to ultraviolet radiation from the sun or tanning beds, it causes skin damage that triggers the melanocytes to produce more melanin, but only the eumelanin pigment attempts to protect the skin by causing the skin to darken or tan. Melanoma occurs when DNA damage from burning or tanning due to UV radiation triggers changes in the melanocytes, resulting in uncontrolled cellular growth.

About Melanin

Naturally darker-skinned people have more eumelanin and naturally fair-skinned people have more pheomelanin. While eumelanin has the ability to protect the skin from sun damage, pheomelanin does not. Thats why people with darker skin are at lower risk for developing melanoma than fair-skinned people who, due to lack of eumelanin, are more susceptible to sun damage, burning and skin cancer.

Don’t Miss: Large Cell Carcinoma Lung Cancer

Response To Other Treatments

If these treatments do not work and your healthcare provider suspects that there is another cause of your back pain, they may order more tests. These tests can include blood tests, MRI, and computed tomography scans, depending on your symptoms, medical history, and physical examination.

The goal of treatment is to restore function and increase strength so that you can return to your daily activities with little to no pain. When the pain does not respond to conservative treatments, surgery may be indicated in instances where there is disc herniation or other structural damage.

Risk Factors For Metastatic Melanomas

You cannot get metastatic melanoma without first having melanoma, though the primary melanoma may be so small its undetectable. Major risk factors for melanomas include:

• Light skin, light-colored hair or light-colored eyes
• Skin prone to burning easily
• Multiple blistering sunburns as a child
• Family history of melanoma
• Frequent exposure to sun or ultraviolet radiation
• Certain genetic mutations
• Exposure to environmental factors, such as radiation or vinyl chloride

Other factors have been connected with increased metastasis. In a 2018 study in the Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia and a 2019 study in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, the following factors were associated with higher levels of metastasis:

• Male gender
• Primary tumor thickness of more than 4 mm
• Nodular melanoma, which is a specific subtype that a care team would identify
• Ulceration of the primary tumor

Also Check: Invasive Ductal Carcinoma Grade 3 Survival Rate

Primary Malignant Melanoma Of The Lumbar Spine

Mathew CJ¹, Karim F¹, Ali M²*, Katsigiorgis G¹,Lerman V¹ and Avanesov K¹

¹Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, NorthwellPlainview Hospital, USA

²New York Institute of Technology College of OsteopathicMedicine, Old Westbury, USA

*Corresponding author: Muzaffar Ali, New YorkInstitute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine,Northern Boulevard, Old Westbury, USA

Received: January 20, 2017 Accepted: February 13, 2017 February 15, 2017

Can Orange Juice Cause Back Pain

Orange juice can not necessarily cause back pain in a perfectly healthy person. There might be complications to drinking packaged orange juice, but back pain is not among them.

Orange juice is packed with vitamin C and contains antioxidants that play a huge role in boosting the immune system.

Consumed mostly as a health beverage for its nutrient value across the globe but it has got other uses as well. There are different uses of orange juices which can be used on a regular basis.

In the making of pancakes, waffles and French toast. Used as a vinaigrette for salads and preparing grilled chicken by marinating it in orange juice.

Also used for cake mix for preparation of cakes, cookies and frostings.

Don’t Miss: What Is The Survival Rate Of Invasive Ductal Carcinoma

Complementary And Alternative Treatments

It’s common for people with cancer to seek out complementary or alternative treatments. When used alongside your conventional cancer treatment, some of these therapies can make you feel better and improve your quality of life. Others may not be so helpful and in some cases may be harmful.

It is important to tell all your healthcare professionals about any complementary medicines you are taking. Never stop taking your conventional treatment without consulting your doctor first.

All treatments can have side effects. These days, new treatments are available that can help to make many side effects much less severe than they were in the past.

Whats The Outlook For People With Back Pain And Cancer

Less than 10 percent of spinal tumors actually start in the spine, according to the Memorial-Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Even if a spinal tumor is present and causing lower back pain, the tumor isnt always cancerous.

If the lower back pain is related to metastatic cancer, its important to talk to your doctor about your treatment outlook. When cancers start to spread, this may indicate a poorer prognosis.

Read Also: How Long Does It Take For Melanoma To Spread

Keeping Health Insurance And Copies Of Your Medical Records

Even after treatment, its very important to keep health insurance. Tests and doctor visits cost a lot, and even though no one wants to think of their cancer coming back, this could happen.

At some point after your cancer treatment, you might find yourself seeing a new doctor who doesnt know about your medical history. Its important to keep copies of your medical records to give your new doctor the details of your diagnosis and treatment. Learn more in Keeping Copies of Important Medical Records.

What Your Doctor Is Reading

If you are interested in more advanced reading on this topic, weâve made content from our health professional site, Medscape, available to you on WebMD.

Show Sources

American Cancer Society: “Melanoma Skin Cancer Overview,” “Treatment of melanoma sin cancer by stage,â “Targeted therapy for melanoma skin cancer.”

Cancer Research UK: “Living with Advanced Melanoma.”

FDA: “FDA approves Yervoy to reduce the risk of melanoma returning after surgery,” “FDA approves Cotellic as part of combination treatment for advanced melanoma.”

Macmillan Cancer Support: “Symptoms of advanced melanoma.”

National Cancer Institute: “What You Need to Know About Melanoma and Other Skin Cancers.”

Skin Cancer Foundation: “Melanoma.”

Also Check: Large Cell Carcinoma Definition

Risk Of Further Melanomas

Most people treated for early melanoma do not have further trouble with the disease. However, when there is a chance that the melanoma may have spread to other parts of your body, you will need regular check-ups.

Your doctor will decide how often you will need check-ups everyone is different. They will become less frequent if you have no further problems.

After treatment for melanoma it is important to limit exposure to the sun’s UV radiation. A combination of sun protection measures should be used during sun protection times .

As biological family members usually share similar traits, your family members may also have an increased risk of developing melanoma and other skin cancers. They can reduce their risk by spending less time in the sun and using a combination of sun protection measures during sun protection times.

It is important to monitor your skin regularly and if you notice any changes in your skin, or enlarged lymph glands near to where you had the cancer, see your specialist as soon as possible.

Diagnosis Of Metastatic Melanoma

Your care team may use several tests to diagnose metastatic melanoma.

If theres evidence of a primary tumor, a biopsy may be taken. For this, a small section of suspected cancerous skin is removed with a razor, scalpel or small punch tool. The removed tissue is examined under a microscope to determine whether its melanoma.

Additional tests are needed to determine whether the cancer is metastatic melanoma, or if theres no visible primary tumor. To test for metastatic melanoma, or melanoma that has spread to lymph nodes or distant parts of the body, your care team may perform the following tests.

• Lymph node mapping and sentinel lymph node biopsy : Your doctor may perform a physical exam of your lymph nodes and check for swelling or physical masses. If no tumors are found , an SLNB may be done. For an SLNB, a radioactive dye is injected to locate the primary tumor. Then, the doctor will remove the lymph nodes that the dye traveled to and check them for melanoma.
• Computed tomography scan, positron emission tomography scan, magnetic resonance imaging scan or ultrasound exam: Each of these scans is a noninvasive way to look inside your body and check for tumors.
• Blood chemistry studies: Cancer may cause elevated or abnormal levels of certain substances in your blood. A laboratory test can identify if your blood chemistry shows signs of a cancerous tumor.

Don’t Miss: Stage Iiia Melanoma Prognosis

Could My Back Pain Be Spine Cancer

For people who have severe back pain, it is natural to wonder whether or not the pain might be a sign of spinal cancer. While most back pain is unrelated to cancer or tumors, it is possible and important to check out. This article explains when back pain may be related to a spinal tumor, how to get an accurate diagnosis, and what to consider for treatment options.

Tumors growing within the vertebrae can make the spinal bones weak, causing them to break and collapse. Watch:Metastatic Spinal Cancer Video

The Course Of A Cancerous Spinal Tumor

Cancer is more likely to occur with age.3 People who are older than age 50 or previously had cancer are at an increased risk of developing a cancerous spinal tumor.1

A cancerous spinal tumors rate of growth can vary depending on the type. A tumor may be relatively small and contained within the spine, or it could have already spread through blood or lymph from another area of the body. An untreated cancerous spinal tumor is likely to keep growing and may become life-threatening.

Treatment options for spinal cancer may include radiation therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and/or surgical removal of the tumor. In cases when the patient is unlikely to tolerate surgery well or has advanced cancer, palliative care may be offered to reduce pain and stay as comfortable as possible, rather than removing the tumor.

Don’t Miss: What Does Melanoma In Situ Look Like

When To See A Doctor

When unexplained back pain persists for a couple weeks despite rest and/or self-care, it is typically recommended to visit a doctor for a medical evaluation. Severe back pain that interferes with daily activities, or any back pain that is accompanied by red flag symptoms such as nausea or weight loss, requires an immediate medical evaluation. For people who currently have or previously had cancer, any new back pain needs to be evaluated by a doctor immediately.

It is also important to note that back pain rarely turns out to be cancer. Getting an accurate diagnosis for back pain from a medical professional is an important first step toward finding an effective treatment plan.

Lumps Beneath Your Skin

You cant see them. But if you feel lumps beneath your skinespecially in areas like your groin, armpit, or neckthose may be an indication of skin cancer that has spread to your lymph nodes, says Jeremy Davis, MD, a clinical instructor and surgeon at UCLA Health.

Its not common, but there are situations where your immune system takes care of the primary mole or skin lesion even though the cancer itself has metastasized, he explains. So the cancer started on your skin, but you never saw it.

A good rule of thumb: If you find a lump anywhere, see your doctor.

Also Check: Body Cancer Symptoms

Does Melanoma On Arm Or Other Appendage Mean Amputation

When caught early enough, the initial tumor being removed may yield successful results. Even if one has several spots of melanoma on the arm, legs, or other extremities, they set the priority on saving it. In some cases of exceptional advancement of the disease, amputations may be the only option.

• Melanoma at intimate parts like Vagina , Anus and Penis: Symptoms, Treatments
• Malignant Melanoma: Definition, Diagnosis, Symptoms, Treatment, Stages

This will likely not be the initial step. As one approaches losing their battle to the disease, its often spread beyond the appendage and cutting it off would just be ineffective.

What Are The Benefits Of Orange Juice

Orange juice is considered to boost the immune system since it contains detoxifying agents that destroy or neutralize free radicals in the body.

Research. Fresh orange juice is not only filled with vitamin C, but also fiber, vitamin A, thiamine, folate, potassium, flavonoids and magnesium and much more.

Major benefits of orange juice include:

• Improving blood circulation
• Improving cholesterol
• Prevention of kidney stones

One of the primary functions of antioxidants is to prevent cancer. Vitamin C present in orange juice is the first line of defense against cancer as it prevents the DNA of healthy cells mutating into cancerous cells.

Orange juices also have D-limonene that is an efficient agent against skin, lung, breast, mouth and colon cancer.

The presence of hesperidin, another antioxidant, reduces tumor growth and even stimulates apoptosis, or programmed cell death, in cancerous cells.

Also Check: Invasive Lobular Breast Cancer Survival Rate