18 Sep 2025: Back pain is one of the most common health complaints and is usually linked to strain, poor posture, or lifestyle habits. However, experts caution that in some cases, it could point to something more serious. HT Lifestyle has reached out to experts to know the possible hidden causes of persistent back pain, including when it may signal underlying conditions such as lung cancer.
Back pain and lung cancer: When to worry
“Back pain is a day-to-day complaint often invariably linked to heavy lifting, posture issues or ageing, mattress issues, which are usually relieved with OTC pain killers, muscle relaxants, but when it persists, then you need to think. It can be an early indicator of cancer. Lung cancer is a disease characterised by uncontrolled, unregulated, unchecked growth of cells in the lungs, which might spread to other parts of the body, including the axial system (spine, pelvis and other bones), causing back pain,” says Dr. Sunny Jain, Sr. Consultant and HOD, Oncology, Accord Super Speciality Hospital, Faridabad NCR.
As per a 2024 study by H. Haryati et al., in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), 30–40% of patients develop bone metastases, with vertebral involvement being among the most common, often leading to spinal cord compression. Research suggests that lung cancer accounts for about 15% of all cases of cancer-related cord compression. Pain is also a frequent complaint among lung cancer patients.
For instance, a Canadian study involving over 13,000 stage IV NSCLC patients reported pain in approximately 68.5% of cases. Similarly, another study that enrolled 533 lung cancer patients found that nearly 240 patients (45%) experienced pain during the course of their disease.
Summary : An oncologist cautioned that ongoing back pain may signal early lung cancer, urging timely medical evaluation to detect hidden symptoms and ensure effective, life-saving treatment.