Hi. I've recently been diagnosed with a pancoast tumour on my right lung/ribcage. About a year ago I started getting a sharp pain by my shoulderblade every time I sneezed. As it was just when I sneezed I ignored it for some months. Eventually the pain became permanent in my shoulder and spread down my right arm. I went to my GP and self-referred for physio, thinking I had a trapped nerve. While waiting for the NHS Physio, I had some treatment privately, funded by works health scheme. This (private) Physio focussed on my neck and had me doing a regime of neck exercises that did nothing. Soon after this I was given an appointment with an NHS physiotherapist. Treatment then focussed on my trapezius muscle as he felt my shoulderblade was not working properly! I was given another set of exercises to follow. After four follow up visits he declared my shoulderblade was working fine. Unfortunately the pain was getting worse, not better! The physiotherapist said he was "flummoxed" and referred me to have an MRI scan. I visited my GP because of the pain and he also referred me for an MRI! Luckily, this came through quite quickly and I had the scan within a couple of weeks. Two days after the MRI I had a letter asking me to come in (To local hospital) for follow-up CT scan with contrast. I visited my GP the day after the letter came for more painkillers and he told me the MRI had shown a "lobulated mass" in my chest. I've now had a biopsy done and a PET scan. It is definitely a "Pancoast". I get test results and a treatment plan in a couple of days.
I now know my symptoms were classic "Pancoast Syndrome" and I'm left wondering if this is something physiotherapists or chiropractors should be aware of? I know it's rare, but I think I could have had an MRI about six months sooner if it had been picked up by the first physiotherapist. I don't actually feel hard done by, I'm not thinking of suing anyone but I think awareness of this could be a little higher.
Has anyone got any thoughts how to raise the profile of this kind of lung cancer?
I'm a 57yr old male, non-smoker for 2years.
Thanks all
Gezzz
