Breast cancer history and symptoms
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Mirdula Sharma, MBBS [2]
Symptoms
- The first noticeable symptom of breast cancer is typically a 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.[1] The earliest breast cancers are detected by a mammogram.[2] Lumps found in lymph nodes located in the armpits[1]
- Thickening of the skin over the breast[3]
- Change in size or shape of the breast
- Nipple becomes inverted
- Skin puckering or dimpling
- Rash on or around the nipple,
- Discharge from nipple, which may be bloody
- Pain in part of the breast or armpit, and
- Swelling beneath the armpit or around the collarbone.[4]
- 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[1]
- Inflammatory breast cancer doesn't present with a lump which may sometimes cause a delay in the diagnosis.
- 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.[5]
- 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.[6] 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.[7]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy (February 2003). "Breast Disorders: Breast Cancer". Retrieved 5 February 2008.
- ↑
- ↑ Watson M (2008). "Assessment of suspected cancer". InnoAiT. 1 (2): 94–107. doi:10.1093/innovait/inn001.
- ↑ Watson M (2008). "Assessment of suspected cancer". InnoAiT. 1 (2): 94–107. doi:10.1093/innovait/inn001.
- ↑ National Cancer Institute (27 June 2005). "Paget's Disease of the Nipple: Questions and Answers". Retrieved 6 February 2008.
- ↑ Lacroix M (December 2006). "Significance, detection and markers of disseminated breast cancer cells". Endocrine-Related Cancer. Bioscientifica. 13 (4): 1033–67. doi:10.1677/ERC-06-0001. PMID 17158753.
- ↑ National Cancer Institute (1 September 2004). "Metastatic Cancer: Questions and Answers". Retrieved 6 February 2008.