Rare cancer misdiagnosed as 'growing pains'
Key Takeaways
In the summer of 2023, a Maryland child’s cancer was initially mistaken for growing pains.
Some aches and pains, however, can also be a sign of more severe health issues.
In the summer of 2023, a Maryland child’s cancer was initially overlooked as growing pains.[] The then-11-year-old—who is now in remission for anaplastic large cell lymphoma, a rare type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma—had been experiencing aches and pain in his hip, according to TODAY.com.[][]
The pain kept him up at night—at times causing tears—and also occurred during the day. When the pain didn’t go away with time, the child’s parents explored more options, taking their son to a sports medicine doctor, an oncologist, and then a rheumatologist. It was the rheumatologist who provided the diagnosis: Through a bone biopsy, the expert concluded that the child was not experiencing growing pains, but stage 4 non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
The child received six rounds of chemotherapy. He is now in remission.
Being wary about growing pains
Sometimes, a child who reports aches and pains may be dealing with growing pains and not experiencing a threat to their health. But this is not always the case. As a result, it is vital for doctors to explore other potential diagnoses for the child’s pain, especially if what they are experiencing sounds more extreme or lasts longer than typical “growing pains.”
The Hospital for Special Surgery, the world’s leading academic medical center focused on musculoskeletal health, says, “It is important for doctors to distinguish these [growing] pains from other pain that may deserve further investigation.”[]
A child’s aches and pain may not be related to growing pains and could be something more serious, including if the pain is accompanied by:
Visible signs of illness or injury
Fever
Rash
Weight loss
Joint swelling
Stiffness, especially after waking up
Redness
Limping
Inability to participate in typical activities
Worsening pain during the daytime
Limited range of motion
Loss of appetite
Aches and pain accompanied by any of the above should be medically evaluated quickly in order to determine the cause of the pain, according to HSS. Further testing is also important for those showing concerning symptoms during a physical examination.
“Pain accompanied by fever, a rash or loss of appetite should prompt an immediate visit to the child’s doctor,” the HSS recommends. “A more serious problem can be misdiagnosed as growing pains, and if a child is experiencing persistent pain.”
Pain in one leg but not the other is also a sign to see a doctor, according to the National Health Service (NHS) of the United Kingdom.[]
It can also be important to stay on the lookout for other severe pediatric conditions—in addition to non-Hodgkin lymphoma—that could be misdiagnosed as growing pains.[] According to the HSS, some of these include:
Bone diseases
Bone lesions
Bone cancer (osteosarcoma)
Soft-tissue sarcoma
Amplified Musculoskeletal Pain Syndrome
Lyme disease
Osgood-Schlatter disease
Juvenile lupus (SLE)
Cartilage injuries and disorders
Ligament injuries
Tendon injuries and conditions
Sports injuries
Shin splints
Stress fractures