Breast cancer primarily affects females, although men can be diagnosed with it too. A patient with breast cancer usually has a tumor or cancer cells that have invaded the glands or ducts of the breast (adenocarcinomas) or the tissue of the breast itself (sarcomas). Breast cancer may be asymptomatic, or a woman may feel or find a lump or skin changes. Back and hip pain are not normal symptoms of breast cancer, unless there are metastases to the bones. However, back and hip pain can be caused by treatments for primary breast cancer.
Back and Hip Pain Before & After Treatment
Back and hip pain after a diagnosis of breast cancer can have different meanings depending on when the pain occurs. Back or hip pain that occurs prior to treatment may be a sign that the cancer has spread to the bone. Back or hip pain that occurs after chemotherapy or other drug treatment begins may be caused by the treatments for the primary breast cancer.
Bone Pain
Pain in the back and hips may be caused by medications associated with treatment of primary breast cancer. Bone and joint pain is common with certain forms of treatment and may be persistent and chronic during the treatment and for a period of time after. However, bone pain can also be a sign of metastases to the bone. It is essential you discuss bone pain with your doctor so he can rule out metastases as an underlying cause of the pain.
Non-Metastatic Causes of Bone Pain
Hip pain and/or pain in other joints is a common side effect of many chemotherapy agents used to treat breast cancer. The chemotherapy may cause this pain due to its effect on nerves, ligaments, joints or muscles. Typically, the pain begins during a chemotherapy session and gets progressively worse each session. This pain will linger between sessions and may last for up to a year or more after chemotherapy ceases.
Tamoxifen, which is often used to treat breast cancer, also causes stiffness in the hips and joints, and pain that resembles arthritis.
Treatment for Non-Metastatic Bone Pain
Your doctor may prescribe NSAIDs (over the counter anti-pain medications including Tylenol) to deal with the non-metastatic bone pain in the back, hips and other bones or joints. If NSAIDs are not sufficient to manage the pain, stronger pain relievers like an opiate or tricyclic antidepressants may be recommended. Massage and heat can also help to relieve non-metastatic bone pain.
Physical therapy and exercise are also important. Swimming and yoga are especially recommended because they allow the bones, including the bones in the hips and back, and joints to get exercise with minimal impact on the body.
Ultimately, time may be the best cure for non-metastatic bone pain.
Metastatic Bone Pain
Pain in the back or hips may also indicate that the cancer has spread to the bones. The bones are a common place for breast cancer metastases, and it is estimated that half of bone fractures that are caused by cancer occur in patients with breast cancer as their primary cancer. Metastases to the bones, including the hip bone and/or bones in the back, can cause back and hip pain.
Treatments for Metastatic Bone Pain
Metastatic breast cancer is not curable, but it is treatable. Laser beam radiation therapy helps approximately 85% of patients to reduce the pain from bone metastases. Tamoxifen may also help slow or reduce the spread of cancer cells in the bones. New drugs, including bisphosphnates, have proven effective at treating bone metastases and extended the survival time for patients with metastatic breast cancer. These bisphosphonates can slow or stop bone destruction and help keep calcium levels at a normal level.
Tags: breast cancer, back hips, bone pain, breast cancer, non-metastatic bone, non-metastatic bone pain
