Back Pain as Presenting Main Symptom in Incidental Finding of Lung Nodule EGFR Mutation: A Case Report

Abstract

Lung cancer can spread to the bones, and when it affects the spine, it can be initially misdiagnosed as a common musculoskeletal cause of back pain. We present the case of a formerly healthy 59-year-old male smoker with no pulmonary symptoms who presented with a two-month history of back pain before developing spinal cord compression syndrome. It was later discovered that he suffered from vertebra metastasis T7 level with stenosis canalis spinal due to metastasis adenocarcinoma solitary pulmonary nodule. The patient also presented a positive epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation. Laminectomy and posterior stabilization with tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy are performed on the patient. It underscores the significance of conducting lung cancer screenings and the criticality of vigilantly observing for warning signs of back pain, such as progressive worsening back pain symptoms despite treatment.