Unilateral facial pain in patients with lung cancer: a referred pain via the vagus?

Abstract

In 8 patients presenting with unilateral facial pain, subsequent investigation revealed an ipsilateral lung tumour. The interval between presentation with the pain and the discovery of the lung cancer varied between 6 wk and 4 yr. Radiotherapy cured the facial pain in 7 cases. Facial pain may be caused by lung cancer, and could be referred to the face via the vagus nerve.