Is pain in the back of the head a symptom associated with multiple myeloma?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Pain in the back of the head is not a common or direct symptom of multiple myeloma. While multiple myeloma can cause bone pain—most often in the spine, ribs, hips, and skull—headache pain localized to the back of the head is not typically associated with this cancer. Head pain is far more commonly caused by tension, migraines, poor posture, or cervical spine issues.

Because headaches can stem from many different conditions, the smartest next step is understanding what's actually driving your symptoms. A free, instant, online symptom check can help you evaluate your specific situation, identify possible causes, and decide whether a doctor's visit is warranted—saving you time, worry, and unnecessary guesswork.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/14/2026

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Explanation

The references provided do not indicate that pain in the back of the head is a symptom of multiple myeloma. Instead, these references explore other causes of head pain:

Occipital Neuralgia: This condition can cause pain at the back of the head, often linked to infections like those in the respiratory tract.
Scalp Dysesthesia: Pain or discomfort in the scalp, including the back of the head, may be related to issues with the cervical spine.
Headaches and Other Symptoms: Headaches can occur alongside other symptoms, such as abdominal pain, but the cause is not specified as multiple myeloma.

In summary, while head pain can have various causes, the provided references do not associate it with multiple myeloma. If you're experiencing unexplained head pain, consider taking a free AI-powered symptom checker test to help identify potential causes and determine if you should seek medical attention.

(References)

Mourouzis C, Saranteas T, Rallis G, Anagnostopoulou S, & Tesseromatis C. (2005). Occipital neuralgia secondary to respiratory tract infection. Journal of orofacial pain, 16106720.
Thornsberry LA, & English JC 3rd. (2013). Scalp dysesthesia related to cervical spine disease. JAMA dermatology, 23565509.
Vaccaro M, & Moschiano F. (2009). A woman with abdominal pain and headache. Neurological sciences : official journal of the Italian Neurological Society and of the Italian Society of Clinical Neurophysiology, 19415446.

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