Chest pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, and a constant cough can all be symptoms of lung cancer. Another common symptom is pain. Both lung cancer and its treatments can cause different kinds of pain.

One type of pain associated with lung cancer is rib pain. This is different from pain linked to coughing or other lung cancer symptoms in and around the lungs.

If you have rib pain associated with lung cancer, here’s what you need to know. Understanding why you have this pain can help you seek out and find the treatments you need so you can feel better and improve your quality of life.

What Causes Rib Pain With Lung Cancer?

There are several reasons why you might have rib pain with lung cancer:

• Lung cancer tumors
• Lung cancer metastasis (spreading of lung cancer)
• Lung cancer treatments

Lung Cancer Tumors

As the tumors in your lungs grow, they have to compete for space. They may end up putting pressure on muscles, tendons, and nerves. This tension may increase as the tumors get bigger, causing pain in and around the ribs.

In fact, chest pain is one of the most common symptoms of lung cancer. Tumors in your lungs can push on nerves and cause what’s called “referred pain” in your ribs — a general term for when you have an injury in one part of the body that causes pain in another part. With lung cancer, you may feel pain in your ribs even if the tumors are in your lungs and not in your ribs.

Lung Cancer Metastasis

When lung cancer spreads beyond your lungs, cancer cells may travel to any part of the body. These locations often include bones that are close to the lungs, like your ribs, back, or shoulders. When cancer metastasizes beyond your lungs, the cells also can spread to parts of your body other than your bones.

If cancer cells spread to your ribs, they can damage the bone and create small holes. Bone damage can cause severe pain in the ribs. Because rib pain can indicate bone metastases, it’s important to report any new or worsening symptoms to your health care provider right away.

Lung Cancer Treatments

Some medications that help fight lung cancer can also cause bone pain. If you begin to experience pain in your ribs after starting a new medication, reach out to your health care team. They can tell you if bone pain is a common side effect. They can also help you find the source of your rib pain so you can better manage it.

Some types of lung cancer surgery involve moving your ribs apart to reach your lungs. Although doctors will make every effort not to injure you during this process, you can end up with broken ribs and/or residual rib pain.

Some MyLungCancerTeam members have rib pain after surgery. One explained, “I started experiencing a lot of pain in my midsection around my ribs where the surgery took place.”

Another added, “It has been five years since surgery. I still feel discomfort with my rib cage.”

Managing Rib Pain With Lung Cancer

There are a few steps you can take to help manage your rib pain that’s associated with lung cancer. It’s important to mention details about your rib pain to your doctor, like where you feel it, how severe it is (on a scale of zero to 10), what type of pain it is, and when it happens. With more information, they can better treat your pain.

1. Treat Your Lung Cancer

One of the best ways to reduce pain in your ribs associated with lung cancer is to get treatment for the lung cancer. If the cancer is still in your lungs, you may be able to reduce the size of your tumors so they don’t press on your nerves anymore. If the cancer has spread to your ribs, radiation therapy can help shrink your tumors.

On MyLungCancerTeam, one member talked about treating lung cancer that had spread to their ribs. They said, “I finished six radiation treatments for metastasis to my right second rib, which was causing pain.”

Your oncologist will recommend a treatment plan depending on the type of lung cancer you have and its stage. If it’s in an early stage, they might be able to remove the tumor with surgery. If it has begun to spread, they may suggest chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation, or a combination of treatment options.

2. Try Medication for Rib Pain

There are several options when it comes to managing pain related to lung cancer. Depending on how severe your pain is and what’s causing it, your health care team may suggest:

• Over-the-counter pain medications, like ibuprofen or acetaminophen
• Prescription medications, including some antidepressants, opioids, or steroids
• Nerve blocks, so your nerves can’t send pain signals to the brain

On MyLungCancerTeam, some members rely on pain medications to help with rib pain. One shared, “I’ve had a bad couple of days with the pain on the rib and the back of the right lung. All I can do is the best I can and pray they will find something that works for my pain.”

3. Use Heat and Cold Therapy

If your ribs hurt because of inflammation or because they were injured during surgery and are healing, heat and cold therapy may help. Heat reduces stiffness and helps relax a spasmed muscle, while cold lowers inflammation and pain levels. Alternating between heat and cold could help your rib pain. Apply heat for 15 to 20 minutes, then do the same with ice a few hours later and repeat this cycle throughout your day.

4. Look Into Integrative Options

Some people find that a variety of techniques can help them manage rib pain. Some look to meditation and relaxation, while others find movement (sometimes with the help of a physical therapist) helps reduce their pain. Others may try acupressure, acupuncture, or massage.

You may need to try several of these methods before you find one or a combination that works well for you. If one method doesn’t help, it doesn’t mean the others won’t offer you some relief.

Get Help With Pain Management

Bone pain can cause significant amounts of pain that interfere with your daily life and lower your overall quality of life. “The pain in the rib is unbearable. I believe it to be bone pain,” said a MyLungCancerTeam member.

Some people with lung cancer hesitate to bring up pain management with their doctors. They may fear the side effects of medications, worry about opiate addiction, or not want to bother their doctors. However, your pain matters and getting relief is crucial.

Your doctor may refer you to a palliative care team for pain control. Palliative care is different from hospice care. This team can support you throughout your lung cancer journey. Their goal is to keep you as healthy as they can for as long as possible, including helping manage your pain. Your care team may have ideas for easing your rib pain, and sometimes they can administer strong pain medications at home.

Talk With Others Who Understand

MyLungCancerTeam is the social network for people with lung cancer and their loved ones. On MyLungCancerTeam, more than 12,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with lung cancer.

Are you dealing with rib pain associated with lung cancer? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.