HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients
Book a video visit
HealthTap
Telehealth
A member asked:

I have middle back pain. if it were caused by a tumor either from the lungs or elsewhere, would it have shown up on an x-ray of the thoracic spine?

5 doctors weighed in across 2 answers

Yes: If you had a tumor compressing your spine, this would likely be visible by x-ray.

Dr Ali and 2 doctors agreed

Answered 3/8/2015

5.2k views

Thank

Not necessarily: An x-ray of the thoracic spine is performed to optimize looking at the bony structure. Furthermore x-rays may not pick up small lesions. A ct scan or MRI may more easily identify a smaller cancer.

Answered 6/10/2014

5.2k views

Thank

Related Questions

A member asked:

I've had a vcug, cat scan and chest/back/spine x-rays. Can the radiation from tests cause cancer?

9 doctors weighed in across 3 answers

A member asked:

I fell&scratched my back against the wall.Had a chest x-ray & my lungs are fine.But my doc said I had mild degenerative changes in the thoracic spine.What are treatment options for this problem?I've had no pain in the upper back.Have lower back pain.

A doctor has provided 1 answer

A member asked:

Upper back pain 6wks. Constant and at rest. Now short of breath, slight cough, swoll nck glds for week. Normal bldwrk and chest and back xrays a week ago. Still scared of lung cancer. What are chances lung tumor missed w bad back pain and normal xray?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

A member asked:

My chest X-ray shows mild scoliosis of the thoracic spine. Should I be concerned about this?

4 doctors weighed in across 2 answers

A member asked:

I have degenerating discs in thoracic spine can it cause nerve irritation/pain that radiates to upper abdomen and chest? How would you test for this?

3 doctors weighed in across 2 answers

Sponsored Content
HealthTap Medical Group does not endorse products or services. Sponsored content revenues support our mission to make health information free and accessible to all.Learn more

People also searched for:

Have had a deep ache in up right shoulder for 2 years+. Mri spine ok. Chest xray ok. If i had cancer or a tumor would it presented itself before now?
I have unexplained deep ache in up right back 2 yrs. Mri spine ok. Chest xray ok. Mammogram ok. Ultrasound rt breast ok. Could this b missed tumor?
Had chest X-ray for middle back pain. It came back as dextroconvexity of the thoracic spine. What does this mean and could it be the cause?
Chest pain i beleive caused by back pain. Can feel a large muscle knot. This is chronic. What could it be ? Tumor? All on left side.
Can a cyst or tumor on my thoracic spine be caused by a serious motorcycle accident? What type of doctor should I see for this?

Telemedicine

Primary Care
Manage Your Conditions
Women's Health
Children's Health
Men's Health
Senior Health
Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle
Sexual Health
Mental & Behavioral Health
Travel Medicine
Urgent Care
Ask your question
Didn't find what you're looking for?

90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more.

Ask your question

More of what we treat

Allergies
Antibiotics
Asthma
High Blood Pressure
Prescriptions
Type 2 Diabetes
Content on HealthTap (including answers) should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and interactions on HealthTap do not create a doctor-patient relationship. Never disregard or delay professional medical advice in person because of anything on HealthTap. Call your doctor or 911 if you think you may have a medical emergency.
HealthTap
HIPAA logo
HIPAASecure
Soc 2 Type 2 logo
SOC 2 Type 2Certified
JCAHO Accredited
JCAHOAccredited
Member App

Download HealthTap

Video visit and message your doctor

Member App QR Code
Play Store Member LinkApp Store Member Link

Questions?

+1 (888) 828-0841support@healthtap.com
LinkedInTwitter
HomeTermsPrivacyCookiesDMCAHealth TopicsDoctors DirectoryDoctor Q&A by Specialty
Copyright 2026 HealthTap, Inc.