Breast cancer history and symptoms: Difference between revisions

Jump to navigation Jump to search
No edit summary
No edit summary
Line 2: Line 2:
{{Breast cancer}}
{{Breast cancer}}
{{CMG}}{{AE}}{{MGS}}
{{CMG}}{{AE}}{{MGS}}
==Symptoms==
==Symptoms==
*The first noticeable [[symptom]] of breast cancer is typically a [[breast lump|lump]] that feels different from the rest of the breast tissue. More than 80% of breast cancer cases are discovered when the woman feels a lump.<ref name="merck">{{cite web|author=[[Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy]] |date=February 2003 |title=Breast Disorders: Breast Cancer |url=http://www.merckmanuals.com/home/womens_health_issues/breast_disorders/breast_cancer.html |accessdate=5 February 2008}}</ref>
*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>
*Thickening of the skin over the breast<ref>{{cite journal | author = Watson M | title = Assessment of suspected cancer | journal = InnoAiT | volume = 1 | issue = 2 | pages = 94–107 | year = 2008 | pmid =  | doi = 10.1093/innovait/inn001 }}</ref> 
:*The lump is present all the time and does not get smaller or go away with the menstrual cycle.
*Change in size or shape of the breast
:*The lump may feel like it is attached to the skin or chest wall and cannot be moved.
*Nipple becomes inverted
:*The lump may feel hard, irregular in shape and very different from the rest of the breast tissue.
*Skin puckering or dimpling
:*The lump may be tender, but it is usually not painful.
*Rash on or around the nipple,
::*Pain is more often a symptom of a non-cancerous (benign) condition, but should be checked by a doctor.
*Discharge from nipple, which may be bloody
*Lump in the axilla
*Pain in part of the breast or armpit, and
:*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.
*Swelling beneath the armpit or around the collarbone.<ref>{{cite journal | author = Watson M | title = Assessment of suspected cancer | journal = InnoAiT | volume = 1 | issue = 2 | pages = 94–107 | year = 2008 | pmid =  | doi = 10.1093/innovait/inn001 }}</ref>
*Changes in breast shape or size
 
*Skin changes
*[[Inflammatory breast cancer]] may present with breast inflammation and may include itching, pain, swelling, nipple inversion, warmth, and redness throughout the breast, as well as an orange-peel texture to the skin referred to as ''peau d'orange''<ref name="merck"/>
:*The skin of the breast may become dimpled or puckered.  
:*Inflammatory breast cancer doesn't present with a lump which may sometimes cause a delay in the diagnosis.
:*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]].
*[[Paget's disease of the breast]] presents as skin changes resembling [[eczema]], such as redness, discoloration, or mild flaking of the nipple skin. As Paget's disease of the breast advances, symptoms may include tingling, itching, increased sensitivity, burning, and pain. There may also be discharge from the nipple. Approximately half of women diagnosed with Paget's disease of the breast also have a lump in the breast.<ref name="nci paget">{{cite web|author=[[National Cancer Institute]] |date=27 June 2005 |title=Paget's Disease of the Nipple: Questions and Answers |url=http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Sites-Types/pagets-breast |accessdate=6 February 2008}}</ref>
:*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. The symptoms caused by [[metastatic breast cancer]] will depend on the location of metastasis. Common sites of metastasis include bone, liver, lung and brain.<ref name="pmid17158753">{{cite journal | author = Lacroix M | title = Significance, detection and markers of disseminated breast cancer cells | journal = [[Endocrine-Related Cancer]] | publisher =[[Bioscientifica]]| volume = 13 | issue = 4 | pages = 1033–67 | date = December 2006 | pmid = 17158753 | doi = 10.1677/ERC-06-0001 }}</ref> Unexplained weight loss can occasionally signal 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.<ref name="nci metastatic">{{cite web|author=[[National Cancer Institute]] |date=1 September 2004 |title=Metastatic Cancer: Questions and Answers |url=http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Sites-Types/metastatic |accessdate=6 February 2008}}</ref>
==Associated Symptoms==
Following associated symptoms occur as the cancer grows larger or spreads to other parts of the body, including other organs:
*Bone pain
*Nausea
*Loss of appetite
*Weight loss
*[[Jaundice]]
*[[Pleural effusion]]:
:*Shortness of breath
:*[[Cough]]
*[[Headache]]
*Double vision
*Muscle weakness


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 01:45, 17 January 2016

Breast Cancer Microchapters

Home

Patient Information

Overview

Historical Perspective

Classification

Pathophysiology

Causes

Differentiating Breast cancer from other Diseases

Epidemiology and Demographics

Risk Factors

Screening

Natural History, Complications and Prognosis

Diagnosis

Diagnostic study of choice

History and Symptoms

Physical Examination

Laboratory Findings

Electrocardiogram

X-ray

CT scan

MRI

Echocardiography or Ultrasound

Other Imaging Studies

Other Diagnostic Studies

Treatment

Medical Therapy

Surgery

Primary Prevention

Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy

Future or Investigational Therapies

Case Studies

Case #1

Breast cancer history and symptoms On the Web

Most recent articles

Most cited articles

Review articles

CME Programs

Powerpoint slides

Images

American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Breast cancer history and symptoms

All Images
X-rays
Echo & Ultrasound
CT Images
MRI

Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov

US National Guidelines Clearinghouse

NICE Guidance

FDA on Breast cancer history and symptoms

CDC on Breast cancer history and symptoms

Breast cancer history and symptoms in the news

Blogs on Breast cancer history and symptoms

Directions to Hospitals Treating Breast cancer

Risk calculators and risk factors for Breast cancer history and symptoms

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

Symptoms

  • Lump in the breast[1]
  • 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.
  • 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.

Associated Symptoms

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

  • Shortness of breath
  • Cough

References

  1. 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

Template:WH Template:WS