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{{Breast cancer}}
{{Breast cancer}}
==Signs and symptoms==
{{CMG}}{{AE}}{{MGS}}{{Soroush}}
Early breast cancer can in some cases present as breast pain ([[mastodynia]]) or a painful lump.  Since the advent of breast mammography, breast cancer is most frequently discovered as an asymptomatic nodule on a mammogram, before any symptoms are present.  A lump under the arm or above the [[collarbone]] that does not go away may be present. When breast cancer associates with skin [[inflammation]], this is known as inflammatory breast cancer. In inflammatory breast cancer, the breast tumor itself is causing an [[inflammatory]] reaction of the skin, and this can cause pain, swelling, warmth, and redness throughout the breast.
==Overview==
 
Symptoms of breast cancer include a [[Breast lump|lump in the breast]], discharge from the nipple, and thickening of the skin.
Changes in the appearance or shape of the breast can raise suspicions of breast cancer.
==History==
 
*The medical history of a person's family may also help the doctor to diagnose breast cancer. <ref name="ss">Breast cancer. Canadian Cancer Society (2015) http://www.cancer.ca/en/cancer-information/cancer-type/breast/diagnosis/?region=on Accessed on January 16, 2016</ref>
Another reported symptom complex of breast cancer is [[Paget's disease of the breast]]. This [[syndrome]] presents as eczematoid skin changes at the nipple, and is a late manifestation of an underlying breast cancer.
*In taking a medical history, the doctor will ask questions about:
 
:*A personal history of
Most breast symptoms do not turn out to represent underlying breast cancer. Benign breast diseases such as fibrocystic mastopathy], [[mastitis]], functional mastodynia, and [[fibroadenoma]] of the breast are more common causes of breast symptoms. The appearance of a new breast symptom should be taken seriously by both patients and their doctors, because of the possibility of an underlying breast cancer at almost any age.
::*Breast disease or breast cancer
::*[[Hormone replacement therapy]]
::*Previous [[radiation therapy]] to the chest
:*A [[family history]] of
::*Breast [[cancer]]
::*Other [[Cancer|cancers]], such as [[Ovarian cancer|ovarian]] and [[Colorectal cancer|colon cancer]]
:*Signs and symptoms that may suggest breast cancer
:*When was the lump first noticed?<ref name="def">Breast lumps and breast examination. patients (2015) http://patient.info/doctor/breast-lumps-and-breast-examination Accessed on January 18, 2016</ref>
:*Has it changed in size or in any other way? This includes a nipple becoming inverted.
:*Menstrual history. If she is [[Menopause|premenopausal]], when was her last menstrual period?
:*Is there any discharge from the nipple?
:*Go through the risk factors
==Symptoms==
*[[Breast|Lump in the breast]]<ref name="ss">Breast cancer. Canadian Cancer Society (2015) http://www.cancer.ca/en/cancer-information/cancer-type/breast/signs-and-symptoms/?region=on#ixzz3xScycfqv Accessed on January 16, 2016</ref>
:*[[Breast lump|The lump]] is present all the time and does not get smaller or go away with the menstrual cycle.
:*[[Breast lump|The lump]] may feel like it is attached to the skin or chest wall and cannot be moved.
:*[[Breast lump|The lump]] may feel hard, irregular in shape and very different from the rest of the breast tissue.
:*[[Breast lump|The lump]] may be tender, but it is usually not painful.
::*Pain is more often a symptom of a non-cancerous (benign) condition, but should be checked by a doctor.
*Lump in the [[axilla]]
:*Sometimes small, hard lumps in the armpit may be a sign that breast cancer has spread to the lymph nodes. Although these lumps are often painless, they may be tender.
*Changes in [[breast]] shape or size
*Skin changes
:*The skin of the breast may become dimpled or puckered.
:*A thickening and dimpling of the skin is called orange peel skin, or ''peau d’orange''.
:*Redness, swelling and increased warmth (signs that look like an infection) may be a sign of [[inflammatory breast cancer]].
:*Itching of the breast or nipple may be a sign of [[inflammatory breast cancer]].
::*Itchiness is often not relieved by ointments, creams or other medications.
*Nipple changes
:*Some people’s nipples are always pointed inward (inverted). Normal nipples that suddenly become inverted should be checked by a doctor.
:*Discharge from the nipples can be caused by many conditions, most of which are non-cancerous (benign).
::*Discharge from one nipple may be a sign of breast cancer, especially if it appears without squeezing the nipple (is spontaneous) and is blood-stained.
*Crusting, ulcers or scaling on the nipple may be a sign of some rare types of breast cancer, such as [[Paget's disease of the nipple]].


Occasionally, breast cancer presents as [[metastatic]] disease, that is, cancer that has spread beyond the original organ.  Metastatic breast cancer will cause symptoms that depend on the location of metastasis.  More common sites of metastasis include bone, liver, lung, and brain.  Unexplained weight loss can occasionally herald an occult breast cancer, as can symptoms of fevers or chills.  Bone or joint pains can sometimes be manifestations of metastatic breast cancer, as can jaundice or neurological symptoms.  Pleural effusions are not uncommon with [[metastatic]] breast cancer.  Obviously, these symptoms are "non-specific," meaning they can also be manifestations of many other illnesses.
==Associated Symptoms==
Following associated symptoms occur as cancer grows larger or spreads to other parts of the body, including other organs:
*[[Bone pain]]
*[[Nausea and vomiting|Nausea]]
*[[Anorexia|Loss of appetite]]
*[[Weight loss]]
*[[Jaundice]]
*[[Pleural effusion]]:
:*Shortness of breath
:*[[Cough]]
*[[Headache]]
*[[Diplopia|Double vision]]
*[[Muscle weakness]]


==References==
==References==
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[[Category:Hereditary cancers]]
[[Category:Hereditary cancers]]
[[Category:Mature chapter]]
[[Category:Mature chapter]]
[[Category:Oncology]]


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[[Category:Up-To-Date]]
[[Category:Oncology]]
[[Category:Medicine]]
[[Category:Gynecology]]
[[Category:Surgery]]

Latest revision as of 22:46, 29 April 2019

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Mirdula Sharma, MBBS [2] Soroush Seifirad, M.D.[3]

Overview

Symptoms of breast cancer include a lump in the breast, discharge from the nipple, and thickening of the skin.

History

  • The medical history of a person's family may also help the doctor to diagnose breast cancer. [1]
  • In taking a medical history, the doctor will ask questions about:
  • A personal history of
  • Signs and symptoms that may suggest breast cancer
  • When was the lump first noticed?[2]
  • Has it changed in size or in any other way? This includes a nipple becoming inverted.
  • Menstrual history. If she is premenopausal, when was her last menstrual period?
  • Is there any discharge from the nipple?
  • Go through the risk factors

Symptoms

  • The lump is present all the time and does not get smaller or go away with the menstrual cycle.
  • The lump may feel like it is attached to the skin or chest wall and cannot be moved.
  • The lump may feel hard, irregular in shape and very different from the rest of the breast tissue.
  • The lump may be tender, but it is usually not painful.
  • Pain is more often a symptom of a non-cancerous (benign) condition, but should be checked by a doctor.
  • Sometimes small, hard lumps in the armpit may be a sign that breast cancer has spread to the lymph nodes. Although these lumps are often painless, they may be tender.
  • Changes in breast shape or size
  • Skin changes
  • The skin of the breast may become dimpled or puckered.
  • A thickening and dimpling of the skin is called orange peel skin, or peau d’orange.
  • Redness, swelling and increased warmth (signs that look like an infection) may be a sign of inflammatory breast cancer.
  • Itching of the breast or nipple may be a sign of inflammatory breast cancer.
  • Itchiness is often not relieved by ointments, creams or other medications.
  • Nipple changes
  • Some people’s nipples are always pointed inward (inverted). Normal nipples that suddenly become inverted should be checked by a doctor.
  • Discharge from the nipples can be caused by many conditions, most of which are non-cancerous (benign).
  • Discharge from one nipple may be a sign of breast cancer, especially if it appears without squeezing the nipple (is spontaneous) and is blood-stained.

Associated Symptoms

Following associated symptoms occur as cancer grows larger or spreads to other parts of the body, including other organs:

  • Shortness of breath
  • Cough

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Breast cancer. Canadian Cancer Society (2015) http://www.cancer.ca/en/cancer-information/cancer-type/breast/diagnosis/?region=on Accessed on January 16, 2016
  2. ↑ Breast lumps and breast examination. patients (2015) http://patient.info/doctor/breast-lumps-and-breast-examination Accessed on January 18, 2016

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