Is there a difference in the way the pain a regular run of the mill pinched nerve would present itself vs that of tumor induced nerve compression?

Tumor vs. HNP: No and yes. Pressure on a nerve will cause radiating pain along that nerve with numbness and or weakness. Tumor, bone spur, misplaced pedicle screw, infection, disk, the nerve doesn't care. You are more likely to have severe, unremitting back/neck pain with tumor especially at night causing awakening. Add weight loss, loss of appetite, fever/chills/sweats, immune compromise, etc, that suggests ca.

Not necessarily: Either could present the same as the other or very differently. Seeing md and getting some scans after physical exam may be needed.