Back pain as an initial feature of advanced gastric cancer mimicking multiple myeloma: A case report and literature review
Year: 2022
Type: article
Study design: Case Report
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Back pain is a rare initial presentation of gastric cancer. Isolated back pain with red flags in middle-aged patients might indicate multiple myeloma. However, it is rarely present in advanced gastric adenocarcinoma; hence, data are limited to case reports only. For a timely diagnosis of the underlying malignancy, endoscopy should be considered if the initial workup for this backache is unrevealing. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a 34-year-old previously healthy gentleman with severe unremitting backache. He was ultimately diagnosed with gastric adenocarcinoma stage IV and received palliative treatment. The manuscript also reviewed relevant literature. CONCLUSION: In rare cases, gastric malignancy can initially present as back pain with lytic bone lesions, mimicking multiple myeloma. Endoscopy early in the course of investigations may help reduce associated morbidities. Further, more extensive studies are required to understand better the clinical characteristics, demographics, and management of such patients.
Source: Qatar medical journal
DOI: 10.5339/qmj.2022.53
Institutions: Hamad General Hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation
Language: English
Subfield: Oncology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4309658779