AboutClaes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D. Expertise I`m a doctor of medicine and a specialist in radiation therapy and medical oncology. I have long experience with regards to this cancer.
Experience I'm a Doctor of Medicine. Licensed/certified physician and surgeon and specialist in Medical Oncology and Radiation therapy in Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and the European Union. Background in Radiation Therapy, Medical Oncology, Radiation Protection, Nuclear Medicine, Diagnostic Radiology, Gynecological Oncology, Clinical Pathology, Clinical Cytology,Hematology and Internal Medicine. M.D. from the faculty of medicine, Royal Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden. Have also been an exchange student at the Hebrew University, Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem Israel. Former medical consultant, Swedish National Board of Radiation Protection. Former Police Surgeon and Medical Examiner, Stockholm Police Department. Former Chief Medical Officer, The Royal Guards, The Royal Horse Guards and the Royal Household Brigade, Royal Swedish Army Medical Corps. Now in private practice in Stockholm, Sweden.
Question On 12-5-05 my half brother died from pancrearic cancer. One of his symptoms was back pain.
For 20 years or so I have had lower back problems and 4 or 5 years ago when I was getting a bit of numbness in the side of one thigh, my doctor said it was a herniated disk causing it. It disappeared after a few weeks.
What I'd like to know is, what type of back pain may be cancer related?
Should I worry every time I get a bit of back pain?
Also, since last September when I spent almost two days lifting boxes weighing 50+ pounds, I have found if I sit for a long period of time, when I stand, my abodomen, about an inch or two below my navel feels tight all the way across, espically when I bend from the waist a bit. It's not a pain, just feels like I've done 100 situps.
It disppears after getting up and moving around. Should I be concerned or is it related to the heavy lifting and my back?
Answer A back pain that has been there for 20 years is not associated with pancreatic cancer but of course its presence may camouflage an additional back pain that is. To differentiate between them can be very difficult so the only advice I can give is that whenever you notice a change and you are worried you should let a dr. do a thorough check up. The abdominal symptoms you describe are most probably associated with your heavy lifting at the time. You probably strained some muscles there and such things can take a long time to heal - and are easily strained again.
