Neck pain is a common experience for many adults, often stemming from various everyday factors. For individuals with a breast cancer diagnosis or history, neck pain can naturally raise concerns about its connection to their cancer journey. While often unrelated to cancer, breast cancer can be associated with neck discomfort. This article explores how breast cancer, its treatments, and other general factors can contribute to neck pain.
How Breast Cancer Can Directly Lead to Neck Pain
Breast cancer can directly cause neck pain if cancer cells spread to distant parts of the body, a process called metastasis. This can involve the cervical spine bones in the neck or lymph nodes in the neck area.
Pain from metastatic breast cancer in the neck bones is often persistent and may worsen at night or with movement. If cancer compresses spinal nerves, it can cause numbness, tingling, or weakness radiating down the arms or hands. Swelling or lumps in the neck, especially above the collarbone, may also indicate spread to lymph nodes, causing discomfort or pressure. This direct involvement is a serious presentation, though less common than other neck pain causes.
Neck Pain as a Side Effect of Breast Cancer Treatments
Breast cancer treatments can also lead to neck pain. Surgical procedures like lumpectomy or mastectomy may cause neck, back, and shoulder pain due to prolonged positioning during surgery or changes in posture afterward. Shortened pectoral muscles, for example, can pull the head forward, leading to neck discomfort. Lymph node dissection, often performed during surgery, may irritate nerves, contributing to pain or restricted movement in the shoulder and neck.
Radiation therapy to the chest or neck area can induce neck pain by tightening soft tissues and muscles, leading to stiffness and reduced flexibility. If radiation targets neck lymph nodes, it might cause a sore throat or discomfort. Chemotherapy can lead to general muscle aches (myalgia) or nerve damage (neuropathy), manifesting as pain, numbness, or tingling, including in the neck. Some hormonal therapies, such as aromatase inhibitors, are known to cause joint and muscle pain that can extend to the neck.
Other Reasons for Neck Pain to Consider
Neck pain also has many causes unrelated to cancer or its treatments. Muscle strain is common, often from poor posture, prolonged computer use, awkward sleeping positions, or repetitive tasks, leading to stiffness and pain.
Age-related wear in the cervical spine, such as osteoarthritis or spondylosis, can cause neck pain, stiffness, and a grinding sensation. This condition may lead to bone spurs that compress nerves, resulting in pain, numbness, or weakness radiating to the shoulder or arm. Herniated discs in the neck can similarly cause pain in the neck, shoulders, and arms, often with numbness or tingling. Stress and tension can also tighten neck and shoulder muscles, leading to discomfort and headaches.
When to Talk to Your Doctor
If you experience neck pain, especially with a history of breast cancer, know when to seek medical advice. Any new, persistent, or worsening neck pain, or pain not improving with rest or over-the-counter relievers, warrants a conversation with a healthcare provider.
Certain “red flag” symptoms indicate a need for prompt medical attention. These include neck pain with numbness, tingling, or weakness in the arms or hands, which could signal nerve compression. Unexplained weight loss, persistent fatigue, or fever alongside neck pain are also concerning signs. Always inform your healthcare team about any new or changing symptoms, particularly after breast cancer treatment.