Can cancers such as lung cancer cause shoulder pain?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Can cancer cause shoulder pain? Yes, certain cancers—most notably lung cancer—can cause shoulder pain. This often occurs as referred pain, where a tumor near the top of the lung (such as a Pancoast tumor) or nearby nerves and structures triggers discomfort in the shoulder. In some cases, shoulder pain may be the first or only noticeable symptom, making it a critical early warning sign. Recognizing this link can lead to earlier diagnosis, more effective treatment, and better outcomes.

Because shoulder pain has many possible causes—ranging from muscle strain to serious conditions—it's important not to guess. Taking a free, instant, online symptom check can help you understand what may be behind your symptoms and guide your next steps, whether that means self-care at home or seeing a doctor promptly. It only takes a few minutes and could make a meaningful difference in catching something serious early.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/14/2026

Important Next Steps

Discover if shoulder pain could signal cancer Learn what might cause your shoulder pain See if your shoulder pain needs urgent care Find OTC relief for shoulder pain Find a doctor for shoulder pain Understand medically valid home remedies for shoulder pain Discover likely causes of shoulder pain

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Explanation

Understanding Referred Pain

Referred pain occurs when pain is perceived in a location different from its source. In the case of lung cancer, the tumor can irritate nearby nerves or structures, leading to pain in the shoulder area. This phenomenon is not uncommon and can lead to confusion in diagnosis.

Mechanism: The shoulder and the upper chest share nerve pathways. When a tumor in the lung or surrounding areas presses on these nerves or causes inflammation, the brain may interpret the pain signals as coming from the shoulder.

Lung Cancer and Shoulder Pain

Research indicates that shoulder pain can be an early sign of lung cancer, particularly in cases where the cancer is located in the upper lobes of the lungs. In some instances, shoulder pain may be the only symptom present, which can lead to delays in diagnosis (Díaz-Abad et al., 2024).

Other Symptoms: While shoulder pain can be a significant indicator, lung cancer may also present with other symptoms such as persistent cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, and unexplained weight loss. However, these symptoms may not always be present in the early stages.

Other Cancers Causing Shoulder Pain

In addition to lung cancer, other types of cancer can also cause shoulder pain through similar mechanisms:

Thymic Carcinoma: This rare cancer can lead to referred shoulder pain due to its proximity to the shoulder region (Dee et al., 2012).
Hepatocellular Carcinoma: This liver cancer can present as right shoulder pain, often due to irritation of the diaphragm or surrounding structures (Tagboto, 2023).
Renal Cell Carcinoma: Metastatic kidney cancer can also manifest as shoulder pain, sometimes mimicking arthritis (Ritch et al., 1983).

Importance of Medical Evaluation

If someone experiences unexplained shoulder pain, especially if it is persistent or accompanied by other concerning symptoms, it is crucial to seek medical evaluation. To help identify potential causes of your symptoms, you can start by taking a free AI symptom checker assessment before consulting with your healthcare provider. A healthcare provider can perform a thorough assessment, including imaging studies and possibly biopsies, to determine the underlying cause of the pain.

(References)

Díaz-Abad J, Aranaz-Murillo A, Mayayo-Sinues E, Canchumanya-Huatuco N, Schaye V. Lessons in clinical reasoning - pitfalls, myths, and pearls: shoulder pain as the first and only manifestation of lung cancer. Diagnosis (Berl). 2024 Feb 23;11(2):212-217. doi: 10.1515/dx-2023-0063. PMID: 38387019.
Dee SW, Kao MJ, Hong CZ, Chou LW, Lew HL. Chronic shoulder pain referred from thymic carcinoma: a case report and review of literature. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2012;8:399-403. doi: 10.2147/NDT.S36476. Epub 2012 Sep 4. PMID: 22969299; PMCID: PMC3435118.
Ott K, Iwanaga J, Dumont AS, Loukas M, Tubbs RS. Postprandial Referred Shoulder Pain: A Case Report. Cureus. 2022 May 31;14(5):e25535. doi: 10.7759/cureus.25535. PMID: 35800831; PMCID: PMC9246054.

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