Which types of cancer can cause pain in the hands and feet?

Cancers that may cause pain in the hands and feet include lung cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, thyroid cancer, and pancreatic cancer. Such pain is often due to cancer metastasis or treatment side effects and should be evaluated based on the characteristics of the pain and medical examinations. If unexplained hand or foot pain occurs and progressively worsens, prompt medical attention is recommended.

1. Lung Cancer: In early stages, some patients may develop joint pain in the hands and feet due to hypertrophic pulmonary osteoarthropathy, accompanied by swelling and limited mobility. The pain is typically dull and symmetrically distributed. At this stage, widespread cancer metastasis is uncommon, and pain may improve with timely treatment.

2. Breast Cancer: As the disease progresses, if cancer spreads to the bones or nerves of the hands and feet, localized pain can occur. Bone metastases often cause sharp or aching pain, while nerve involvement may lead to numbness and tingling. This usually indicates intermediate-stage cancer, requiring targeted management of metastatic lesions.

3. Prostate Cancer: This type of cancer commonly metastasizes to the pelvis and long bones of the limbs. If the bones in the hands or feet are affected, persistent pain may develop, often worse at night, and may be accompanied by weakness in the extremities. At this point, the cancer is typically in its intermediate to late stages, and anti-bone metastasis treatments are needed to relieve pain.

4. Thyroid Cancer: In some advanced cases, hand and foot pain may result from bone metastasis or paraneoplastic syndromes. Bone metastases cause localized tenderness, while paraneoplastic syndromes may present with muscle weakness and soreness in the hands and feet. By this stage, distant metastasis has usually occurred, increasing treatment difficulty.

5. Pancreatic Cancer: In advanced stages, if the cancer spreads to the bones of the hands or feet or compresses nearby nerves, severe pain may arise—often unbearable and progressively worsening—accompanied by rapid weight loss and fatigue. Widespread metastasis is common at this stage, resulting in poor prognosis, necessitating strong analgesic therapy.

When experiencing hand or foot pain in daily life, appropriate rest is advised along with avoiding excessive activity. Applying a warm towel to the affected area may help alleviate discomfort. Maintaining a balanced diet rich in calcium and vitamins is beneficial. Keeping a record of the timing and location of pain episodes can provide valuable information for future medical evaluations.