Symptoms of breast cancer

Unfortunately, clear symptoms of breast cancer can be detected only in the last stages of the malignant process. For this reason, in order to recognize a serious pathology in time, every woman should know the slightest signs that should prompt an urgent visit to the doctor.

Breast cancer is the most common oncological disease in women.

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The first symptoms of breast cancer

What characteristic symptoms can a woman identify on her own:

• swelling of the mammary gland (usually one), differences in skin color on the right and left gland;
• nipple retraction;
• ulcers on the nipple area;
• change in nipple shape.

Signs most often appear on one breast, much less often on both.

The first symptoms of breast cancer are determined by the detection of a minor lump, which is painless and often accompanied by enlargement and mobility of the lymph nodes in the armpit area. Such symptoms may be preceded by mastopathy, which was not treated at all, or treatment was interrupted for some reason.

Dermatological signs of the initial stage of tumor development are areas with retraction of the skin over the neoplasm, as well as the appearance of wrinkled skin areas on the mammary gland. Sometimes the affected area looks like a "smooth platform".

As cancer progresses from one stage to another, the neoplasm grows significantly. The contours of the mammary gland almost always change, ulcers or phenomena resembling a "lemon peel" may appear on the surface. The upper limb on the affected side may swell.

The rate of growth and development of a cancerous neoplasm can vary. Most often, it doubles in size over a period of six months to a year. If the tumor grows faster, it means that the degree of malignancy is very serious, and it will be more difficult to fight such a disease.

Symptoms of Breast Cancer Metastasis

A malignant neoplasm can send metastases to many organs, affecting tissues and disrupting the functioning of many body systems. Metastases usually spread through the milk ducts, as well as through the microvascular and macrovascular network.

Cancer also sends metastases through the lymphatic system: in this case, they are localized in the axillary, subscapular, supra- and subclavian regions. Metastatic foci are often found in the liver, lungs, uterine appendages, and also in the skeletal system - the pelvic and hip bones.

The presence of metastases is a sign of stage III and IV of the oncological process. At such stages, the tumor is already larger than 5 cm. Among the accompanying signs, one can name an increase in lymph nodes in the above areas, deterioration of the general condition, weight loss, weakness, and loss of appetite.

In fact, the symptoms of breast cancer metastases depend on where the metastases have gone. For example:

• metastases in the lymph nodes - accompanied by an increase in lymph nodes;
• metastases in the lungs - this is the appearance of cough, sputum with blood, shortness of breath;
• liver metastases – enlarged liver size upon palpation, yellowing of the skin, nausea;
• metastases in the skeletal system – spontaneous fractures, bone pain;
• brain metastases – frequent or constant headaches, impaired consciousness, seizures.

Symptoms of Ductal Breast Cancer

Ductal cancer (or ductal carcinoma) of the mammary gland may not reveal itself for a long time, showing no signs of development. The appearance of pain or other strange sensations in the gland is not characteristic of the ductal form of cancer.

Most often, the patient independently and randomly feels a localized painless nodule in the mammary gland. Sometimes the pathology is also accidentally discovered during an ultrasound preventive examination or during a mammogram (which, by the way, should be done once every 1-2 years).

Visible and obvious symptoms of the pathological process appear much later. As a rule, this happens already at the stage of tumor metastasis:

• swelling of the armpits is detected;
• constant fatigue, pain in the spine, arms and legs appears;
• fluid may accumulate in the abdominal cavity;
• The patient may complain of headache, irritability and cramps.

If ductal carcinoma is suspected, the patient is sent for urgent additional examination, where they perform ultrasound, mammography, and biopsy with histology and immunohistochemistry.

Symptoms of intraductal breast cancer appear on the image as small calcified deposits - calcified localized areas of glandular tissue that have formed as a result of tumor decomposition.

The most favorable form is considered to be non-invasive intraductal cancer, which develops inside the milk duct without affecting the tissue of the gland.

Symptoms of Mastitis-Like Breast Cancer

Mastitis-like (inflammatory) cancer is observed in only 7% of all diagnosed cases of breast cancer.

This type of cancer is characterized by rapid development: usually patients consult a doctor 2-3 months after the onset of the disease.

Symptoms of mastitis-like cancer are more often detected with a large breast size. The disease can occur with or without the formation of a lump in the gland. However, in all situations, the volume of the affected mammary gland increases.

The majority of patients pay attention to the painfulness of the glands. In addition to pain, one can detect swelling, redness of the skin, and compaction of the affected breast. The mammary gland on the side of the pathology may be hot to the touch.

Swelling may be observed in the shoulder area and on the upper limb on the affected side. If a lump is found, it usually does not have clear outlines. Sometimes ulcers appear on the skin.

Symptoms of inflammatory breast cancer on x-ray appear as diffuse thickening and increased density of the glandular tissue.

This manifests itself as darkening of the organ. In addition, one can see a violation of the structural image with the formation of fuzzy shapeless shadows, excessive formation of new vessels, and if there is a compaction, it usually has a round shape without sharp outlines.

Ultrasound often indicates areas with a hypoechoic structure and unclear outlines.

The presence of swelling and redness on the skin are, first of all, signs of an inflammatory process. For this reason, if the above signs are observed, the inflammatory etiology of the process should be suspected first of all.

Symptoms of recurrent breast cancer

Unfortunately, a relapse of a cancerous tumor can occur approximately 4 years after anticancer therapy. Moreover, the relapse can develop both in the same place and in another, sometimes even opposite, area.

Symptoms that should alert a woman who has had breast cancer:

• detection of any change in the mammary glands (the appearance of swelling, burning, itching in the gland);
• the appearance of pathological discharge from the milk ducts;
• noticeable change in the shade of the skin of the gland.

With such symptoms, you should definitely see a doctor, who will prescribe a more thorough examination to establish an accurate diagnosis. The earlier the treatment is started, the better the prognosis.

Most often, relapses occur when the patient was previously diagnosed with a large cancerous tumor with lymph node involvement, or the malignant process was rapid. After treatment of such tumors, the woman is usually recommended to regularly see a doctor and undergo ultrasound examination of the mammary glands.

Symptoms of Paget's disease of the breast

Paget's disease is a cancerous lesion of the nipple of the breast.

Early symptoms of Paget's cancer of the breast include redness and flaking of the areola. Sometimes this may look like mild irritation, so patients do not rush to the doctor at first. Often the irritation even goes away and the woman calms down for a while. But then more serious signs of the disease follow:

• itching and burning sensation;
• pain when touched;
• the appearance of discharge from the milk ducts.

When palpating (not always, but in 50% of cases), dense nodules can be detected. They are not always connected to the nipple and can continue to develop regardless of the condition of the areola.

At later stages, the malignant process switches to neighboring tissues, which is manifested by the formation of ulcers or itchy rashes. Usually, the disease affects only one mammary gland.

Paget's tumor is also found in males, and the symptoms are usually the same as in female patients. These include redness, flaking, ulcers, and itchy skin around the nipple.

Paget's disease is often confused with nipple eczema, as both diseases are characterized by the appearance of peeling, crusts, microcracks, and weeping ulcers in the areola area. However, over time, the nipple flattens and loses its shape, and a seal forms next to or under it, developing further into the gland. Simultaneously with the development of the process, it becomes possible to palpate nearby lymph nodes.

Of course, the effectiveness of treatment depends, first of all, on the stage of the malignant process at which therapeutic measures were started. Therefore, it is so important to detect pathological signs in a timely manner and consult a doctor. If treatment is started late, it can last for many months and even years, not excluding the possibility of recurrence of the disease in the future.

If you think you have discovered symptoms of breast cancer, do not be afraid to see a doctor. As statistics show, most signs of breast diseases have nothing to do with a cancerous tumor. For example, of all detected neoplasms, less than 20% are diagnosed as malignant. Most often, the cause for concern is ordinary mastitis or benign fibroadenoma. However, if suspicious symptoms are detected, it is necessary to perceive the situation adequately and immediately contact a doctor.