Podejrzane guzy piersi
Objawy

Podejrzane guzy piersi, choć w około 80% przypadków są łagodne, wymagają dokładnej diagnostyki ze względu na ryzyko raka piersi, szczególnie u kobiet w wieku reprodukcyjnym. Charakterystyczne cechy łagodnych guzów to miękka, elastyczna konsystencja, dobrze odgraniczone i ruchome pod palcami, często bolesne i zmienne w cyklu miesiączkowym (np. torbiele, włókniakogruczolaki). Z kolei guzy podejrzane o złośliwość są twarde, nieregularne, słabo odgraniczone, mało ruchome, zwykle niebolesne i niezmienne w cyklu, z tendencją do powiększania się. Lokalizacja raka piersi najczęściej obejmuje górno-zewnętrzną ćwiartkę piersi (około 50% przypadków). Dodatkowe objawy alarmowe to zmiany skórne (np. „skórka pomarańczowa”, wciągnięcie skóry), zmiany brodawki sutkowej (np. krwista wydzielina, inwersja), powiększenie węzłów chłonnych pachowych lub obojczykowych oraz obrzęk ramienia. Pięcioletnia przeżywalność raka piersi wykrytego we wczesnym stadium wynosi około 96%, natomiast w przypadku zajęcia węzłów chłonnych spada do 73% lub mniej.

Wprowadzenie do podejrzanych guzów piersi

Podejrzane guzy piersi są jednym z najczęstszych powodów konsultacji lekarskich związanych ze zdrowiem piersi. Tkanka piersi naturalnie może mieć strukturę grudkowatą lub sznurowatą, a także wykazywać okresową tkliwość związaną z cyklem miesiączkowym. Warto podkreślić, że większość guzów piersi (około 80%) nie jest nowotworowa, jednak każdy nowy guz powinien zostać zbadany przez specjalistę, aby wykluczyć możliwość wystąpienia raka piersi.123

Podejrzane guzy piersi mogą występować u kobiet w każdym wieku, ale są szczególnie powszechne w okresie reprodukcyjnym – od pierwszej miesiączki do menopauzy. Zwykle są one łagodne, ale stanowią istotny sygnał ostrzegawczy, który wymaga diagnostyki. Wczesne wykrycie i ocena guza piersi jest kluczowa, szczególnie że rak piersi wykryty we wczesnym stadium ma znacznie lepsze rokowanie – pięcioletnia przeżywalność wynosi około 96% w przypadku zlokalizowanego raka piersi.456

Charakterystyka podejrzanych guzów piersi

Podejrzane guzy piersi mogą mieć różne cechy, w zależności od ich przyczyny. Istnieją jednak pewne charakterystyczne cechy, które mogą sugerować, czy guz jest potencjalnie złośliwy, czy łagodny.78

Cechy guzów łagodnych

Łagodne guzy piersi często wykazują następujące cechy:91011

  • Miękkie, elastyczne w dotyku
  • Dobrze odgraniczone od otaczających tkanek
  • Ruchome pod palcami przy badaniu
  • Często bolesne lub wrażliwe na dotyk
  • Mogą zmieniać rozmiar w cyklu miesiączkowym
  • Zazwyczaj okrągłe i gładkie

1213

Typowym przykładem łagodnego guza jest torbiel piersi, która odczuwalna jest jako miękka struktura podobna do winogron, często wrażliwa na dotyk, szczególnie przed miesiączką.14 Innym częstym rodzajem łagodnego guza jest włókniakogruczolak (fibroadenoma), który jest twardy, zwykle niebolesny lub tylko nieznacznie tkliwy, dobrze odgraniczony i łatwo przesuwalny pod skórą.1516

Cechy guzów potencjalnie nowotworowych

Guzy piersi, które mogą wskazywać na nowotwór, często mają następujące cechy:171819

  • Twarde i lite w dotyku
  • Nieregularne, często „kanciaste” krawędzie
  • Słabo odgraniczone od otaczających tkanek
  • Mało ruchome lub nieruchome (przytwierdzone do otaczających tkanek)
  • Zazwyczaj niebolesne (choć niektóre mogą powodować dyskomfort)
  • Nie zmieniają się w cyklu miesiączkowym
  • Wykazują tendencję do powiększania się

2021

Jak wskazują badania, złośliwe guzy piersi są zazwyczaj większe, nieruchome, twarde i niejednorodne w strukturze. Nowotwór piersi najczęściej zlokalizowany jest w górno-zewnętrznej ćwiartce piersi, obejmującej obszar dochodzący do pachy – około 50% przypadków raka piersi występuje w tej lokalizacji.2223

Objawy towarzyszące podejrzanym guzom piersi

Oprócz samego guza, podejrzane zmiany w piersiach mogą objawiać się szeregiem dodatkowych symptomów, które powinny zwrócić uwagę pacjentki i lekarza.2425

Zmiany skórne i strukturalne

W przypadku podejrzanych guzów piersi, szczególnie tych złośliwych, mogą wystąpić następujące zmiany dotyczące skóry i struktury piersi:262728

  • Zmiana koloru skóry piersi – zaczerwienienie, zasinienie
  • Pogrubienie skóry lub skóra przypominająca skórkę pomarańczy (objaw „skórki pomarańczowej”peau d’orange)
  • Wciągnięcie skóry lub dimpling (zagłębienia w skórze)
  • Łuszczenie się lub strupienie skóry piersi lub brodawki sutkowej
  • Zmiana rozmiaru lub kształtu piersi
  • Asymetria piersi, która wcześniej nie występowała
  • Obrzęk części lub całej piersi

2930

Objaw „skórki pomarańczowej” jest szczególnie charakterystyczny dla zapalnego raka piersi (Inflammatory Breast Cancer, IBC), który blokuje przepływ limfy w piersi, powodując obrzęk i zaczerwienienie bez wyraźnego twardego guza.3132

Zmiany brodawki sutkowej

Zmiany dotyczące brodawki sutkowej mogą obejmować:333435

  • Wciągnięcie brodawki sutkowej (inwersja) – szczególnie jeśli jest to nowe zjawisko
  • Wydzielina z brodawki sutkowej (inna niż mleko u kobiet karmiących)
  • Krwawa wydzielina z brodawki
  • Ból lub pieczenie brodawki
  • Zaczerwienienie lub łuszczenie się brodawki
  • Owrzodzenie w okolicy brodawki

3637

Wydzielina z brodawki sutkowej, zwłaszcza krwista lub występująca tylko z jednej piersi, jest objawem, który wymaga natychmiastowej diagnostyki, gdyż około 5% kobiet z rakiem piersi może mieć taki objaw.38

Zmiany węzłów chłonnych

Dodatkowym objawem, który może towarzyszyć podejrzanym guzom piersi, są zmiany w węzłach chłonnych:3940

4142

Powiększenie węzłów chłonnych może świadczyć o zaawansowaniu procesu nowotworowego, gdyż wskazuje na rozprzestrzenianie się komórek rakowych poza pierś. Jak wskazują badania, rak piersi, który rozprzestrzenił się do węzłów chłonnych, ma gorsze rokowanie – pięcioletnia przeżywalność spada do 73% lub mniej.43

Ból w kontekście podejrzanych guzów piersi

Ból piersi (mastalgia) jest częstym objawem, który może, ale nie musi towarzyszyć guzom piersi. Warto zaznaczyć, że większość nowotworów piersi nie powoduje bólu, szczególnie we wczesnym stadium.444546

Ból związany z piersiami można podzielić na:47

  • Ból cykliczny (cyclic mastalgia) – występuje u około dwóch trzecich kobiet z bólem piersi, zazwyczaj nasila się przed miesiączką i łagodnieje z jej rozpoczęciem. Jest to najczęściej łagodne zjawisko związane ze zmianami hormonalnymi.
  • Ból niecykliczny (noncyclic mastalgia) – nie jest związany z cyklem miesiączkowym i może być objawem towarzyszącym innym schorzeniom piersi, w tym rzadko nowotworom.

4849

Należy podkreślić, że ryzyko złośliwego nowotworu u pacjentek z bólem piersi, po normalnym badaniu klinicznym i mammografii, wynosi około 0,5%. Niemniej jednak, ból piersi występujący poza cyklem miesiączkowym lub ból ogniskowy (w jednym miejscu) powinien być zbadany, gdyż w rzadkich przypadkach może być związany z procesem nowotworowym.5051

Progresja podejrzanych guzów piersi

Sposób, w jaki rozwijają się guzy piersi, różni się znacząco w zależności od ich przyczyny i charakteru.52

Rozwój guzów łagodnych

Łagodne guzy piersi zazwyczaj charakteryzują się następującą dynamiką rozwoju:5354

  • Mogą zmieniać swój rozmiar w zależności od fazy cyklu miesiączkowego
  • Często rosną bardzo powoli lub nie rosną wcale
  • Niektóre mogą nawet zmniejszać się samoistnie z czasem, szczególnie u nastolatek lub kobiet po menopauzie
  • Włókniakotorbielowatość (fibrocystic changes) zwykle pojawia się przed miesiączką i zmniejsza się po niej

5556

W przypadku włókniakogruczolaka, typowego łagodnego guza, charakterystyczny jest powolny wzrost. Może on jednak powiększać się w czasie ciąży. Większość włókniakogruczolarów nie wymaga leczenia i może samoistnie się zmniejszyć.57

Rozwój guzów złośliwych

Złośliwe guzy piersi zwykle wykazują inny wzorzec rozwoju:5859

  • Są trwałe i nie zmieniają się wraz z cyklem miesiączkowym
  • Wykazują tendencję do stałego powiększania się z czasem
  • Mogą rosnąć w różnym tempie – niektóre typy, jak potrójnie negatywny rak piersi, mogą rozwijać się szybciej
  • Nieleczony guz złośliwy może rosnąć przez wiele lat – wczesny guz (o wielkości około 2,5 cm lub mniejszej) mógł rozwijać się nawet przez osiem lat, zanim osiągnął rozmiar pozwalający na wykrycie

606162

W zaawansowanym stadium rak piersi może rozprzestrzeniać się na okoliczne węzły chłonne (pachwowe, szyjne lub klatki piersiowej), a następnie, przez proces przerzutowania, na inne organy, takie jak kości, wątroba, płuca, a nawet mózg. Gdy leczenie rozpoczyna się dopiero po rozprzestrzenieniu się raka, pięcioletnia przeżywalność jest znacznie niższa.63

Szybkość rozwoju raka piersi

Nie wszystkie nowotwory piersi rozwijają się w tym samym tempie. Niektóre mogą rosnąć szybciej, jak bardziej agresywne typy (np. potrójnie negatywny rak piersi), jednak większość zmian lub rozprzestrzenianie się może trwać od kilku miesięcy do kilku lat.64

Zapalny rak piersi (IBC) charakteryzuje się szczególnie szybkim rozwojem objawów, które mogą pojawić się w ciągu kilku dni, tygodni lub miesięcy. Objawy te obejmują zaczerwienienie skóry, obrzęk piersi i charakterystyczny wygląd skórki pomarańczowej.6566

Ze względu na różne tempo rozwoju nowotworów piersi, podkreśla się znaczenie regularnych badań przesiewowych oraz szybkiej diagnostyki w przypadku zauważenia niepokojących zmian. Opóźnione leczenie wiąże się z bardziej zaawansowaną chorobą i ogólnie gorszym przeżyciem.67

Kiedy należy skonsultować się z lekarzem

Biorąc pod uwagę powyższe informacje, istnieje szereg sytuacji, w których należy niezwłocznie skonsultować się z lekarzem w związku z guzem piersi.6869

Należy umówić się na wizytę lekarską w przypadku:707172

  • Wykrycia nowego guza, który jest twardy lub nieruchomy
  • Guza, który nie znika po 4-6 tygodniach
  • Guza, który zmienił rozmiar, kształt lub sposób, w jaki się wyczuwa
  • Zmian skórnych na piersi, takich jak zmiana koloru skóry, strupienie, wgłębienia lub marszczenie się
  • Nagłego pojawienia się wydzieliny z brodawki sutkowej, szczególnie jeśli jest krwista
  • Niedawnego wciągnięcia brodawki sutkowej
  • Nowego guza w pachwinie lub powiększenia się istniejącego guza w pachwinie

7374

Nawet jeśli niedawna mammografia była prawidłowa, ale zauważysz guz lub inne zmiany w piersi, ważne jest, aby skontaktować się z lekarzem. Rak piersi, który rozwija się między badaniami mammograficznymi, znany jako „rak interwałowy”, ma tendencję do większych rozmiarów, szybszego wzrostu i rozprzestrzeniania się oraz gorszego rokowania niż raki wykrywane podczas badań przesiewowych.75

Warto zaznaczyć, że zmiany w piersiach nie zawsze są spowodowane rakiem, a większość guzów piersi jest łagodna. Jednak wczesne wykrycie ma kluczowe znaczenie dla skutecznego leczenia, gdyż pięcioletnia przeżywalność dla raka piersi wykrytego we wczesnym stadium wynosi 99%.7677

Podsumowanie objawów podejrzanych guzów piersi

Cechy guza Typowe dla guzów łagodnych Podejrzane (mogące świadczyć o nowotworze)
Konsystencja Miękka, elastyczna Twarda, lita
Kształt i krawędzie Okrągły, regularne krawędzie Nieregularne, „kanciaste” krawędzie
Ruchomość Łatwo przesuwalne pod skórą Mało ruchome lub nieruchome
Bolesność Często bolesne lub tkliwe Zwykle niebolesne (choć niektóre mogą boleć)
Zmienność w cyklu miesiączkowym Często zmieniają się w cyklu Nie zmieniają się z cyklem
Dynamika wzrostu Powolny wzrost lub brak wzrostu Tendencja do stałego powiększania się
Zmiany skórne Zazwyczaj brak Mogą występować (wciągnięcia, „skórka pomarańczowa”)
Wydzielina z brodawki Rzadko, jeśli występuje to obustronnie Może występować, zwłaszcza jednostronnie, czasem krwista
Zmiany węzłów chłonnych Nie występują Mogą być powiększone węzły pod pachą lub w okolicy obojczyka

Powyższa tabela przedstawia zestawienie typowych cech guzów łagodnych i podejrzanych, które mogą wskazywać na proces nowotworowy.787980

Znaczenie wczesnej diagnostyki

Wczesna diagnostyka ma kluczowe znaczenie w przypadku podejrzanych guzów piersi. Im wcześniej wykryty zostanie potencjalny nowotwór, tym większa szansa na skuteczne leczenie i lepsze rokowanie.8182

Diagnostyka podejrzanego guza piersi obejmuje zwykle:8384

  • Badanie kliniczne piersi przez lekarza
  • Badania obrazowe:
    • Mammografia – podstawowe badanie obrazowe piersi, zalecane dla kobiet powyżej 25 roku życia
    • Ultrasonografia – często stosowana jako pierwsze badanie u młodszych kobiet (poniżej 30 roku życia) lub jako uzupełnienie mammografii
  • Biopsja – pobranie próbki tkanki z guza w celu badania mikroskopowego, gdy badania obrazowe nie dają jednoznacznej odpowiedzi

8586

W przypadku kobiet młodszych (poniżej 30 roku życia) ultrasonografia jest zazwyczaj pierwszym zalecanym badaniem, natomiast u kobiet starszych standardem jest potrójne badanie obejmujące badanie kliniczne, mammografię i ewentualnie biopsję.87

Regularne badania przesiewowe oraz świadomość własnego ciała są niezbędne do wczesnego wykrycia potencjalnych zmian. Kobiety powinny regularnie wykonywać samobadanie piersi, aby poznać normalną strukturę swoich piersi i móc zauważyć wszelkie zmiany.8889

Warto podkreślić, że opóźnione leczenie raka piersi wiąże się z bardziej zaawansowaną chorobą i gorszym rokowaniem. Badania wykazują, że rak piersi wykryty we wczesnym, zlokalizowanym stadium ma pięcioletnią przeżywalność na poziomie 96%, która spada do 73% lub mniej, gdy choroba rozprzestrzenia się do węzłów chłonnych.9091

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  1. 12.04.2026
  2. www.leksykon.com.pl

Materiały źródłowe

  • #1 Suspicious breast lumps | Beacon Health System
    https://www.beaconhealthsystem.org/library/diseases-and-conditions/suspicious-breast-lumps?content_id=CON-20305543
    Most of these growths aren’t cancer, but you should still get them checked promptly. […] A breast lump is a growth of tissue that forms in the breast. Most breast lumps are not irregular or cancerous. But it’s key to have your healthcare professional check them promptly. […] Breast tissue typically might feel lumpy or ropy. You also may have breast tenderness that comes and goes with your menstrual period. […] If you have a health problem that affects your breasts, you might notice changes in how your breasts usually feel. These changes can include: A round, smooth and firm breast lump. A lump that feels firm and moves easily under the skin. A hard breast lump with irregular edges. An area of skin that has changed color. Skin dimpling like an orange. New changes in breast size or shape. Fluid leaking from the nipple.
  • #2 Breast Lumps: Types, Benign, Moveable, Causes & Diagnosis
    https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/6906-breast-lumps
    A breast lump is a mass or growth that develops in your breast. While a breast lump can be a sign of breast cancer, its usually benign (not cancerous). In fact, 8 out of 10 breast lumps are noncancerous. […] Symptoms of cancerous breast lumps vary for everyone. Some of the things you should watch for include: A hard, discrete lump is the most common sign of breast cancer. The tissue feels very different than the surrounding breast tissue. Early on, its movable. It becomes less moveable later. […] Breast lumps are one of the symptoms of breast cancer. But, often, breast lumps arent cancerous. Several other conditions can cause breast lumps. […] Breast infections are relatively common and can occur in both lactating and non-lactating people. They tend to come on rapidly (days to a week), with pain, redness and sometimes a lump or an area of hardened tissue. They may progress to a breast abscess. […] If you feel a breast lump or any other change in your breast, talk to your healthcare provider. They can figure out the cause of the lump and if you need treatment.
  • #3 Breast Lump: Types, Causes, How to Check Them & Treatment
    https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/breast-lump/
    A breast lump is a mass, growth, or swelling within the breast tissue. While finding a lump in your breast can be concerning, it is important to remember that the majority of breast lumps are not breast cancer. There are many conditions that may cause benign (non-cancerous) breast lumps. However, all breast lumps should be investigated by a healthcare professional. […] While breast lumps should be checked and monitored by a healthcare professional, it is important to note that the absence of a noticeable breast lump does not mean breast cancer cannot or has not developed. […] Although breast lumps are common and many are non-cancerous, there are several breast lump warning signs to be aware of. See your healthcare professional if you notice: A new lump, thickening, or swelling of the breast tissue not previously noticed by you or your doctor; A lump that feels hard to the touch or different from the rest of the breast tissue; A known lump that begins to grow or change; A lump that does not go away after menstruation; A lump that causes pain or discomfort.
  • #4 Different Kinds of Breast Lumps | Stony Brook Cancer Center
    https://cancer.stonybrookmedicine.edu/breast-cancer-team/patients/bse/breastlumps
    Although some breast cancers may first announce their presence by nipple secretions, changes in the nipple’s appearance, nipple tenderness or dimpling or puckering of the skin, most malignant tumors appear first as SINGLE, HARD LUMPS OR THICKENINGS that are frequently, but not always, painless. […] Any change in size, shape, texture or nipple that occurs in one breast only is more dangerous than if such changes happen simultaneously in both breasts in the same position. Report such a change at once. […] Early breast cancer is confined to the breast only. Even an „early” tumor (defined as an inch or less in size) may have been growing for as long as eight years before it is large enough to be detected. Regular medical breast exams by your doctor or other healthcare professional and mammograms will greatly increase your chances of recognizing an early breast cancer. The five-year survival rate for woman whose breast cancers are treated in the early, localized stage is 96 percent.
  • #5 Breast Lumps: When to Worry
    https://www.everydayhealth.com/womens-health/when-to-worry-about-breast-lumps.aspx
    First, dont panic. A breast lump is a growth of tissue inside the breast, and 80 percent of these lumps are benign, meaning they are noncancerous, according to Stony Brook Cancer Center. […] Not only that, but if youve been having regular mammograms, and if those mammograms have been negative, the odds are even better that your lump is not breast cancer. […] Ultimately, a lump of any type should be addressed by your doctor. If you find a lump, its important to schedule an appointment. […] A harmless or benign breast lump is often solid and well-defined you can feel all of the edges and can move it a bit. […] What typically differentiates a benign lump from a cancerous lump is its mobility and how defined its edges are. […] Breast cancer also does not usually cause pain. Benign conditions sometimes do, although there are exceptions to this rule as well.
  • #6 Is a lump in your breast always cancer? 4 signs of breast cancer | Nebraska Medicine Omaha, NE
    https://www.nebraskamed.com/cancer/breast-cancer/is-a-lump-in-your-breast-always-breast-cancer-4-signs-of-breast-cancer
    Breast lumps have many causes sometimes cancer, but often not. If you notice a change in your breasts, it’s natural to feel a bit anxious. […] „Lumps in the breast aren’t always cancer,” says Dr. Santamaria. „About 10% to 20% of lumps are cancer. The rest are benign.” […] Signs of cancerous lumps: Rock hard, Irregular borders, Attached, or hard to move. […] Other signs of breast cancer include: Nipple discharge especially red, brown or rust-colored, Other lumps nearby or in the armpit, Lump eroding or growing through the skin, causing an open wound, Bleeding or drainage from the lump. […] „Cancerous lumps can be painful,” says Dr. Santamaria. „But benign fibrocystic lumps, a fibroadenoma or a breast cyst typically hurt more than cancerous lumps.” […] „Listen to your body,” says Dr. Santamaria. „We’ve seen breast cancer in 20-year-olds, so don’t ignore it.” Early detection means better outcomes: When breast cancer is caught early, the five-year survival rate is 99%.
  • #7 Suspicious breast lumps // Middlesex Health
    https://middlesexhealth.org/learning-center/diseases-and-conditions/suspicious-breast-lumps
    Breast tissue typically might feel lumpy or ropy. You also may have breast tenderness that comes and goes with your menstrual period. […] If you have a health problem that affects your breasts, you might notice changes in how your breasts usually feel. These changes can include: A round, smooth and firm breast lump. A lump that feels firm and moves easily under the skin. A hard breast lump with irregular edges. An area of skin that has changed color. Skin dimpling like an orange. New changes in breast size or shape. Fluid leaking from the nipple. […] Make an appointment to have a breast lump checked, especially if: The lump is new and feels firm or fixed. The lump doesn’t go away after 4 to 6 weeks. Or it has changed in size or in how it feels. You notice skin changes on your breast such as a change in skin color, crusting, dimpling or puckering. Fluid comes out of the nipple suddenly on more than one occasion. The fluid might be bloody. The nipple recently turned inward. There is a new lump in your armpit, or a lump in your armpit seems to be getting bigger.
  • #8 What Does a Breast Cancer Lump Feel Like? | Mass General Brigham
    https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/en/about/newsroom/articles/what-does-a-breast-cancer-lump-feel-like
    Breast self-examination and body awareness are important to your health and wellness. But if you notice a lump or change in your breasts, dont panic. Most turn out to be benign (noncancerous) issues. […] The majority of breast lumps are actually benign, she says. But its important that we are aware of our own bodies, so if we notice a change, we know what to do about it. […] If you notice a lump, Dr. Comander suggests you consider several specific factors, such as shape, size, whether there is skin involvement, and whether the lump causes pain. […] Most breast tumors do not hurt, although some might. Pain in the breasts may indicate an ingrown hair, clogged milk duct, cyst, swollen gland, or other issue. […] A cancerous lump is usually hard, not soft or squishy. And it often has angular, irregular, asymmetrical edges, as opposed to being smooth, Dr. Comander says.
  • #9 Breast Lumps: Types, Benign, Moveable, Causes & Diagnosis
    https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/6906-breast-lumps
    A breast lump is a mass or growth that develops in your breast. While a breast lump can be a sign of breast cancer, its usually benign (not cancerous). In fact, 8 out of 10 breast lumps are noncancerous. […] Symptoms of cancerous breast lumps vary for everyone. Some of the things you should watch for include: A hard, discrete lump is the most common sign of breast cancer. The tissue feels very different than the surrounding breast tissue. Early on, its movable. It becomes less moveable later. […] Breast lumps are one of the symptoms of breast cancer. But, often, breast lumps arent cancerous. Several other conditions can cause breast lumps. […] Breast infections are relatively common and can occur in both lactating and non-lactating people. They tend to come on rapidly (days to a week), with pain, redness and sometimes a lump or an area of hardened tissue. They may progress to a breast abscess. […] If you feel a breast lump or any other change in your breast, talk to your healthcare provider. They can figure out the cause of the lump and if you need treatment.
  • #10 Common Breast Lumps That Aren’t Cancer | Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
    https://www.mskcc.org/news/common-breast-lumps-that-arent-cancer
    A breast lump should always be checked out by a doctor, who may recommend diagnostic imaging such as mammogram and breast ultrasound. […] Many lumps turn out to be benign, says Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center breast radiologist Kimberly N. Feigin, MD, Acting Chief of Breast Radiology at MSK. But the most important thing is to not ignore it. Get it checked out. […] The earlier breast cancer is caught, the easier it is to treat. […] A cancerous lump will not change with your menstrual cycle, Dr. Feigin says. […] Moveable breast lumps are usually not cancer. More often, they are fibroadenomas or cysts. While moveable breast lumps are often benign, they still should be checked by a doctor. Most breast cancers start out as moveable lumps in their early stages, so it is important to consult with an expert to rule out cancer.
  • #11 How to Tell if a Breast Lump Is Cancerous | BASS Medical Group
    https://www.bassmedicalgroup.com/blog-post/cancerous-breast-lump
    Finding a lump in your breast can be alarming, but not every lump is cancerous. […] If you notice any of the following symptoms, schedule a medical evaluation promptly: A new lump in the breast or underarm area […] A breast lump is more concerning if it presents with any of the following: A firm, hard texture with irregular edges […] Many cancerous breast lumps are painless in the early stages. […] If you notice a new lump or changes in your breast, don’t wait. See a doctor for a clinical breast exam and diagnostic imaging, such as: Mammogram […] Early diagnosis allows for more treatment options and better outcomes.
  • #12 Breast Lumps: When to Worry
    https://www.everydayhealth.com/womens-health/when-to-worry-about-breast-lumps.aspx
    The only way to know the status of a lump for sure is to consult your doctor. […] If the cyst goes away, you and your doctor will know your lump was indeed benign and related to the hormonal fluctuations associated with menstruation. […] Although most breast lumps are benign, some do turn out to be cancerous. If a cancerous lump isnt treated, it will continue to grow and invade healthy nearby tissue, and can spread to other areas in the body. […] Most cancerous breast tumors first appear as single, hard lumps or thickening under the skin. […] About half of all cancerous breast lumps appear in the upper, outer quadrant of the breast, extending into the armpit; about 18 percent of breast cancer tumors show up in the nipple area; around 11 percent are found in the lower quadrant; and 6 percent are located in the lower, inner quadrant.
  • #13 Fibrocystic Breast vs. Cancer: Learn the Differences
    https://www.verywellhealth.com/fibrocystic-breast-changes-3520628
    Whether you have fibrocystic breasts or cancer, the first sign is usually a lump in your breast. […] The first symptom of fibrocystic breasts and breast cancer is lumps, but there are a few telltale differences between them: […] One way to tell whether a lump is a fibrocystic breast change or cancer is to determine whether its painful. In this context, pain is a good sign. Fibrocystic breast changes grow quickly, pressing against tissues and causing pain. In contrast, 99% of cancerous lumps do not cause pain. […] Fibrocystic breast lumps appear, change in size (getting larger or smaller), or cause more pain just before your menstrual period. These lumps are softer than cancer-related lumps and may feel spongy or stringy. […] Cancerous lumps can appear at any time. They may consistently enlarge over time, but they don’t change during your monthly cycles. Breast cancer lumps typically feel firm or hard.
  • #14 Breast lump Information | Mount Sinai – New York
    https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/symptoms/breast-lump
    A breast lump is swelling, growth, or mass in the breast. […] Breast lumps in both men and women raise concern for breast cancer, even though most lumps are not cancer. […] Breast lumps may appear at any age: […] Teenage boys may develop breast enlargement and lumps because of hormone changes in mid-puberty. Although this may be upsetting to boys, the lumps or growth almost always go away on their own over a period of months. […] Symptoms are most often worse right before your menstrual period, and then improve after your period starts. […] These lumps do not have cancer or become cancerous except in rare cases. […] Cysts are fluid-filled sacs that often feel like soft grapes. These can sometimes be tender, often just before your menstrual period. […] Other causes of breast lumps include: Breast cancer.
  • #15 Breast Fibroadenoma: Symptoms, Treatment & Removal
    https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15690-fibroadenomas-of-the-breast
    Fibroadenomas are solid lumps (not filled with fluid) in one or both breasts. They aren’t painful and move easily under your skin if you push them around your breast. They can be as small as a pea or grow as large as a golf ball (about 2 to 3 cm is typical). […] You may notice it becomes tender in the few days just before the start of your period. Large fibroadenomas are more likely to cause pain than small fibroadenomas. […] Fibroadenomas tend to grow very slowly, but they don’t always get bigger and may even shrink. This is especially true if you’re in your teens or have reached menopause. Conversely, a fibroadenoma may grow larger during pregnancy. […] Most fibroadenomas aren’t life-threatening or cancerous. But, they can get bigger, change in appearance or become painful. […] Healthcare providers may recommend removing a fibroadenoma if it’s large, painful or suspicious. However, this isn’t always the case. Many fibroadenomas shrink or go away without treatment. […] In the case of a small, unsuspicious fibroadenoma, nothing happens if it goes untreated. Your healthcare provider is the best person to decide if removing a fibroadenoma is necessary or if monitoring it for changes is a better route.
  • #16 Fibroadenoma | Breast Cancer Now
    https://breastcancernow.org/about-breast-cancer/breast-lumps-and-benign-not-cancer-breast-conditions/fibroadenoma
    A fibroadenoma usually feels like a smooth lump in the breast that moves easily under the skin. […] Fibroadenomas are usually painless. Sometimes they may feel tender or even painful, particularly just before a period. […] If you were diagnosed with a complex fibroadenoma, your risk is very slightly increased. If you’re worried about your risk of breast cancer, you can speak to your GP or breast team. […] It’s important to be breast aware and go back to your GP if you notice any changes in your breasts, no matter how soon after your diagnosis of a fibroadenoma.
  • #17 Suspicious breast lumps // Middlesex Health
    https://middlesexhealth.org/learning-center/diseases-and-conditions/suspicious-breast-lumps
    A breast lump that’s painless, hard, has irregular edges and is different from the breast tissue around it might be breast cancer. The skin covering the lump may thicken, change color or look red. There also may be skin changes such as dimpled or pitted areas that look like the skin of an orange. Your breast size and shape may change. You may notice fluid leaking from the nipple, or the nipple may turn inward. The lymph nodes under the arm or near the collarbone might be swollen.
  • #18 Breast lumps: How to tell if its cancerous
    https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/what-does-a-breast-lump-feel-like
    A cancerous breast lump often has the following characteristics: Hard: It typically feels solid and firm to the touch. Irregular edges: The lump often has uneven or jagged edges, though some can be rounded. Painless: Most cancerous lumps do not cause pain, though this is not always the case. Fixed: It may feel anchored to the tissue in the breast and not move easily when pushed. Persistent: The lump does not go away over time and may gradually grow. […] If a person has breast cancer, they may notice other symptoms, such as other lumps near the armpit or discharge from the nipple. […] A person should always speak with a doctor if they find a lump in their breast, no matter how small the lump is. If the lump is cancerous and grows bigger, the cancer cells could break off and spread to other areas of the body.
  • #19 Breast Cancer Lumps: What They Feel Like, Other Symptoms, and More
    https://www.healthline.com/health/breast-cancer/breast-cancer-lumps
    A breast lump that feels firm or hard that you cant move easily could be a symptom of breast cancer. […] A breast lump is the most common sign of breast cancer. Finding one can be unsettling, but most breast lumps turn out to be something other than cancer. Breast cancer lumps tend to be firm and dont usually cause pain, but there are exceptions. […] A cancerous breast lump is likely to feel firm or hard. Other features of a breast cancer lump are: the edges are irregular, you cant easily move it underneath the skin with your fingers, its growing, its located in the upper outer quadrant of your breast. […] Other warning signs of breast cancer are: a new lump somewhere in your breast or underarm, thickening or swelling, even without a lump, skin is red, tender, and warm to the touch, dimpling, puckering, or scaling of the skin, breast or nipple pain, change to shape, size, or color of breast, blood or other unusual discharge from the nipple, nipple is turning inward.
  • #20 What do cancerous breast lumps feel like? | MD Anderson Cancer Center
    https://www.mdanderson.org/cancerwise/what-do-cancerous-breast-lumps-feel-like.h00-159545268.html
    A lump in your breast can sometimes be a sign of breast cancer. […] But it grew very rapidly, and by the time I was diagnosed with breast cancer the following year, it felt more like a golf ball. […] Its impossible to say, If you feel this, its definitely breast cancer, explains Refinetti. […] Some breast cancers feel like distinct lumps or bumps in the tissue. […] The only way to conclusively determine if someone has breast cancer — and what type of breast cancer it is — is through breast imaging and breast biopsy. […] Most breast cancers dont cause any pain, even if they first appear as a lump or a bump. […] But pain can still bring a lump to your attention, when an object hits the side of your breast just so, or you accidentally brush it past something that compresses it. […] But most of the time, breast pain is not related to cancer. And pain alone is not a sign of breast cancer. […] People often notice changes in themselves that no one else would. […] I knew I had breast cancer, and the year I turned 40, my mammogram finally proved it, Julie says.
  • #21 Common Breast Problems | AAFP
    https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2019/0415/p505.html
    Malignant masses are typically larger, fixed, hard, and heterogeneous in texture. […] The sensitivity of CBE ranges from 49% to 69%, and specificity is 86% to 99%. […] Detection of malignancy increases when imaging is added to the evaluation. […] Noncyclic/focal mastalgia should trigger diagnostic imaging because of its rare but occasional association with underlying malignancy. […] The risk of malignancy in patients with breast pain after normal CBE and mammography findings is approximately 0.5%. […] Pathologic discharge is generally spontaneous and unilateral, and originates from a single duct opening on a nipple. […] An underlying malignancy is identified in up to 21% of patients with pathologic discharge who undergo biopsy.
  • #22 Breast Lumps: When to Worry
    https://www.everydayhealth.com/womens-health/when-to-worry-about-breast-lumps.aspx
    The only way to know the status of a lump for sure is to consult your doctor. […] If the cyst goes away, you and your doctor will know your lump was indeed benign and related to the hormonal fluctuations associated with menstruation. […] Although most breast lumps are benign, some do turn out to be cancerous. If a cancerous lump isnt treated, it will continue to grow and invade healthy nearby tissue, and can spread to other areas in the body. […] Most cancerous breast tumors first appear as single, hard lumps or thickening under the skin. […] About half of all cancerous breast lumps appear in the upper, outer quadrant of the breast, extending into the armpit; about 18 percent of breast cancer tumors show up in the nipple area; around 11 percent are found in the lower quadrant; and 6 percent are located in the lower, inner quadrant.
  • #23 Common Breast Problems | AAFP
    https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2019/0415/p505.html
    Malignant masses are typically larger, fixed, hard, and heterogeneous in texture. […] The sensitivity of CBE ranges from 49% to 69%, and specificity is 86% to 99%. […] Detection of malignancy increases when imaging is added to the evaluation. […] Noncyclic/focal mastalgia should trigger diagnostic imaging because of its rare but occasional association with underlying malignancy. […] The risk of malignancy in patients with breast pain after normal CBE and mammography findings is approximately 0.5%. […] Pathologic discharge is generally spontaneous and unilateral, and originates from a single duct opening on a nipple. […] An underlying malignancy is identified in up to 21% of patients with pathologic discharge who undergo biopsy.
  • #24 Suspicious breast lumps // Middlesex Health
    https://middlesexhealth.org/learning-center/diseases-and-conditions/suspicious-breast-lumps
    Breast tissue typically might feel lumpy or ropy. You also may have breast tenderness that comes and goes with your menstrual period. […] If you have a health problem that affects your breasts, you might notice changes in how your breasts usually feel. These changes can include: A round, smooth and firm breast lump. A lump that feels firm and moves easily under the skin. A hard breast lump with irregular edges. An area of skin that has changed color. Skin dimpling like an orange. New changes in breast size or shape. Fluid leaking from the nipple. […] Make an appointment to have a breast lump checked, especially if: The lump is new and feels firm or fixed. The lump doesn’t go away after 4 to 6 weeks. Or it has changed in size or in how it feels. You notice skin changes on your breast such as a change in skin color, crusting, dimpling or puckering. Fluid comes out of the nipple suddenly on more than one occasion. The fluid might be bloody. The nipple recently turned inward. There is a new lump in your armpit, or a lump in your armpit seems to be getting bigger.
  • #25 Suspicious breast lumps | Beacon Health System
    https://www.beaconhealthsystem.org/library/diseases-and-conditions/suspicious-breast-lumps?content_id=CON-20305543
    Most of these growths aren’t cancer, but you should still get them checked promptly. […] A breast lump is a growth of tissue that forms in the breast. Most breast lumps are not irregular or cancerous. But it’s key to have your healthcare professional check them promptly. […] Breast tissue typically might feel lumpy or ropy. You also may have breast tenderness that comes and goes with your menstrual period. […] If you have a health problem that affects your breasts, you might notice changes in how your breasts usually feel. These changes can include: A round, smooth and firm breast lump. A lump that feels firm and moves easily under the skin. A hard breast lump with irregular edges. An area of skin that has changed color. Skin dimpling like an orange. New changes in breast size or shape. Fluid leaking from the nipple.
  • #26 Suspicious breast lumps // Middlesex Health
    https://middlesexhealth.org/learning-center/diseases-and-conditions/suspicious-breast-lumps
    A breast lump that’s painless, hard, has irregular edges and is different from the breast tissue around it might be breast cancer. The skin covering the lump may thicken, change color or look red. There also may be skin changes such as dimpled or pitted areas that look like the skin of an orange. Your breast size and shape may change. You may notice fluid leaking from the nipple, or the nipple may turn inward. The lymph nodes under the arm or near the collarbone might be swollen.
  • #27 Breast lumps: How to tell if its cancerous
    https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/what-does-a-breast-lump-feel-like
    Sometimes, a lump in the breast is a symptom of breast cancer. These lumps typically feel hard and uneven and are painless. However, not all breast lumps indicate cancer. […] Other warning signs of breast cancer a person should look out for are nipple discharge, dimpling skin, and breast swelling or thickening. […] According to a 2022 article, a cancerous breast lump is painless, hard, and has uneven edges. It may also attach itself to underlying tissue such as the chest wall. This means it will not move when someone prods it. […] Other changes in the breast people should look out for include nipple discharge, which may be clear or tea-colored, nipple texture and color changes, and changes in the breast, including color changes and itchy, flaky, or dimpled skin. […] That said, the longer a cancerous lump grows, the greater the risk of cancer spreading to other parts of the body. This is why it is important that people speak with a doctor as soon as they notice a lump of any size in their breast.
  • #28 Breast Cancer Signs, Symptoms and Understanding an Imaging Report | Saint John’s Cancer Institute
    https://www.saintjohnscancer.org/breast/breast-cancer/
    Knowing the signs and symptoms of breast cancer may help save your life. […] Most painful breast lumps are not cancerous. Any discrete breast lump, whether painful or not, should be evaluated because breast cancer often presents as a lump or thickening. […] Other potential signs of breast cancer include: Lump in the breast or in the underarm, A spontaneous or bloody discharge from the nipple, New retraction or indentation of the nipple, A change in the size or contour of the breast, Any flattening or indentation of the skin over the breast, Redness or pitting of the skin over the breast, like the skin of an orange, Crustiness, ulceration, or rash of the nipple or areola, Swelling of all or part of a breast, even if no lump is felt, Skin dimpling, sometimes resembling an orange peel, Pain or tenderness in the breast or nipple.
  • #29 Symptoms of breast cancer | Cancer Research UK
    https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/breast-cancer/symptoms
    The first symptom of breast cancer most people notice is a lump in their breast or some thickening. […] Symptoms to look out for include: a new lump or thickening in your breast, chest or armpit […] Breast cancer might cause your breast to look bigger or have a different shape than usual, it might feel different. […] Fluid leaking from the nipple when you’re not pregnant or breastfeeding. This can be a sign of breast cancer, but other medical conditions can also cause this. […] One nipple might turn in or sink into the breast. It might look or feel different than usual. […] Your symptoms may not be due to breast cancer, and they may not make you feel unwell. But it is important that any symptoms you have are checked by a doctor, even if you are feeling well. […] The earlier a cancer is picked up, the easier it is to treat it and the more likely the treatment is to be successful.
  • #30 Symptoms of Breast Cancer | Breast Cancer | CDC
    https://www.cdc.gov/breast-cancer/symptoms/index.html
    Some warning signs of breast cancer are: […] New lump in the breast or underarm (armpit). […] Thickening or swelling of part of the breast. […] Irritation or dimpling of breast skin. […] Redness or flaky skin in the nipple area or the breast. […] Pulling in of the nipple or pain in the nipple area. […] Nipple discharge other than breast milk, including blood. […] Any change in the size or the shape of the breast. […] Pain in any area of the breast. […] Keep in mind that these symptoms can happen with other conditions that are not cancer. If you have any signs or symptoms, be sure to see your doctor right away. […] Many conditions can cause lumps in the breast, including cancer. But most breast lumps are caused by other medical conditions.
  • #31 Symptoms — Know Your Lemons® for Early Detection
    https://www.knowyourlemons.org/symptoms
    This is usually accompanied by an obvious hard lump. This is an advanced sign of the disease, meaning it has been present for some time. […] However, if veins become more pronounced outside of these changes, on the breast or near the collarbone (and sometimes accompanied with a swollen arm), this could be a sign of a breast cancer tumor drawing more blood to itself and the vein swelling in size to allow for additional blood flow. […] However, if you notice your nipple sinking, flattening, or turning, it could be a sign of a new breast cancer tumor forming underneath, pulling the nipple toward it as it grows. […] But if one breast changes size, flattens, swells, or droops unexpectedlyand doesn’t seem to be connected to your menstruation cyclethis could be a sign of breast cancer. […] Peau d’orange is a sign of Inflammatory Breast Cancer. This type of cancer blocks the flow of lymph in the breast, which causes swelling and redness but without an obvious hard lump.
  • #32 ‘How I knew I had inflammatory breast cancer’: 6 survivors’ symptoms | MD Anderson Cancer Center
    https://www.mdanderson.org/cancerwise/how-i-knew-i-had-inflammatory-breast-cancer—6-survivors-describe-their-symptoms.h00-159699912.html
    Inflammatory breast cancer symptoms tend to appear very quickly. […] At first, patients might complain of a spot-like rash, or of their bra not fitting like it used to or suddenly feeling tight, explains Bora Lim, M.D.., a medical oncologist who specializes in the treatment of inflammatory breast cancer. Then, in a matter of months, weeks or even days, more than half of their breast or their entire breast is involved. […] One-sided breast swelling is another classic sign of inflammatory breast cancer. So is a subtle dimpling of the skin called peau dorange, named for the surface of orange peel it resembles. […] A rash or a change in skin color on the breast is another sign of inflammatory breast cancer. […] Pain and lumps are not always symptoms of inflammatory breast cancer, but they can be.
  • #33 Suspicious breast lumps // Middlesex Health
    https://middlesexhealth.org/learning-center/diseases-and-conditions/suspicious-breast-lumps
    Breast tissue typically might feel lumpy or ropy. You also may have breast tenderness that comes and goes with your menstrual period. […] If you have a health problem that affects your breasts, you might notice changes in how your breasts usually feel. These changes can include: A round, smooth and firm breast lump. A lump that feels firm and moves easily under the skin. A hard breast lump with irregular edges. An area of skin that has changed color. Skin dimpling like an orange. New changes in breast size or shape. Fluid leaking from the nipple. […] Make an appointment to have a breast lump checked, especially if: The lump is new and feels firm or fixed. The lump doesn’t go away after 4 to 6 weeks. Or it has changed in size or in how it feels. You notice skin changes on your breast such as a change in skin color, crusting, dimpling or puckering. Fluid comes out of the nipple suddenly on more than one occasion. The fluid might be bloody. The nipple recently turned inward. There is a new lump in your armpit, or a lump in your armpit seems to be getting bigger.
  • #34 Breast Cancer Signs, Symptoms and Understanding an Imaging Report | Saint John’s Cancer Institute
    https://www.saintjohnscancer.org/breast/breast-cancer/
    Knowing the signs and symptoms of breast cancer may help save your life. […] Most painful breast lumps are not cancerous. Any discrete breast lump, whether painful or not, should be evaluated because breast cancer often presents as a lump or thickening. […] Other potential signs of breast cancer include: Lump in the breast or in the underarm, A spontaneous or bloody discharge from the nipple, New retraction or indentation of the nipple, A change in the size or contour of the breast, Any flattening or indentation of the skin over the breast, Redness or pitting of the skin over the breast, like the skin of an orange, Crustiness, ulceration, or rash of the nipple or areola, Swelling of all or part of a breast, even if no lump is felt, Skin dimpling, sometimes resembling an orange peel, Pain or tenderness in the breast or nipple.
  • #35 Dr Chantel Thornton > Symptoms & Conditions > Nipple Changes
    https://www.breastcancerspecialist.com.au/symptoms-conditions/nipple-changes
    Changes in the nipple may be an important sign of breast cancer, and any new change should be assessed by a doctor immediately. […] Nipple retraction or inversion that is new, occurring only in one breast, or where the nipple does not come out on stimulation can be a concerning sign of breast cancer. This should be discussed immediately with your doctor. […] Pain, a burning sensation and itching of the nipple can be present months before the emergence of the typical ulcerated lesion. […] A palpable lump can be felt in roughly 50% of cases, and this will typically be behind or close to the nipple and areola but it can be anywhere in the breast. […] Approximately half of the patients that present with nipple discharge will also have a breast lump and 20% of these patients will have a breast cancer.
  • #36 What Does Breast Cancer Look Like? 8 Signs to Watch
    https://www.cancercenter.com/community/blog/2022/10/what-does-breast-cancer-look-like
    A breast cancer lump often feels like a pea- or marble-shaped mass just under the skin. In some people, it may resemble a ridge rather than a bump. Often, theyre hard and painless, but some cause discomfort. […] Performing regular self-exams once a month may help you identify suspicious lumps. But its a good idea to have a doctor check out any new ones right away. If it does turn out to be cancer, the sooner its diagnosed, the better. […] Dimpling in the skin of the breast may be a sign of invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC), a common type of breast cancer. […] Breast cancer sometimes causes nipples to turn inwarda condition sometimes known as inverted nipple or nipple inversionor change direction. […] But if you notice changes in your nippleincluding the nipple turning inward, pulling to one side or changing directionit may be a symptom of breast cancer, and you should get checked by your health care team.
  • #37 Dr Chantel Thornton > Symptoms & Conditions > Nipple Changes
    https://www.breastcancerspecialist.com.au/symptoms-conditions/nipple-changes
    Spontaneous nipple discharge confirmed to a single duct which is unilateral is more likely to be associated with underlying pathology such as cancer or DCIS. […] Nipple discharge associated with a breast lump ulceration of the nipple and areolar inversion/retraction of the nipple even if it is not spontaneous or blood stained requires urgent investigation. […] Breast Cancer – approximately 5% of women with breast cancer will have nipple discharge and some of these will also have other symptoms such as a retracted nipple or a breast lump.
  • #38 Dr Chantel Thornton > Symptoms & Conditions > Nipple Changes
    https://www.breastcancerspecialist.com.au/symptoms-conditions/nipple-changes
    Spontaneous nipple discharge confirmed to a single duct which is unilateral is more likely to be associated with underlying pathology such as cancer or DCIS. […] Nipple discharge associated with a breast lump ulceration of the nipple and areolar inversion/retraction of the nipple even if it is not spontaneous or blood stained requires urgent investigation. […] Breast Cancer – approximately 5% of women with breast cancer will have nipple discharge and some of these will also have other symptoms such as a retracted nipple or a breast lump.
  • #39 Suspicious breast lumps // Middlesex Health
    https://middlesexhealth.org/learning-center/diseases-and-conditions/suspicious-breast-lumps
    A breast lump that’s painless, hard, has irregular edges and is different from the breast tissue around it might be breast cancer. The skin covering the lump may thicken, change color or look red. There also may be skin changes such as dimpled or pitted areas that look like the skin of an orange. Your breast size and shape may change. You may notice fluid leaking from the nipple, or the nipple may turn inward. The lymph nodes under the arm or near the collarbone might be swollen.
  • #40 Suspicious breast lumps // Middlesex Health
    https://middlesexhealth.org/learning-center/diseases-and-conditions/suspicious-breast-lumps
    Breast tissue typically might feel lumpy or ropy. You also may have breast tenderness that comes and goes with your menstrual period. […] If you have a health problem that affects your breasts, you might notice changes in how your breasts usually feel. These changes can include: A round, smooth and firm breast lump. A lump that feels firm and moves easily under the skin. A hard breast lump with irregular edges. An area of skin that has changed color. Skin dimpling like an orange. New changes in breast size or shape. Fluid leaking from the nipple. […] Make an appointment to have a breast lump checked, especially if: The lump is new and feels firm or fixed. The lump doesn’t go away after 4 to 6 weeks. Or it has changed in size or in how it feels. You notice skin changes on your breast such as a change in skin color, crusting, dimpling or puckering. Fluid comes out of the nipple suddenly on more than one occasion. The fluid might be bloody. The nipple recently turned inward. There is a new lump in your armpit, or a lump in your armpit seems to be getting bigger.
  • #41 What Does Breast Cancer Feel Like?
    https://www.healthline.com/health/what-does-breast-cancer-feel-like
    Breast cancer lumps don’t all feel the same. Your doctor should examine any lump, whether or not it meets the most common symptoms listed below. […] Most commonly, a cancerous lump in the breast: is a hard mass, is painless, has irregular edges, is immobile (doesn’t move when pushed), appears in the upper outer portion of your breast, grows over time. […] Not all cancerous lumps will meet these criteria, and a cancerous lump that has all of these traits isn’t typical. A cancerous lump may feel rounded, soft, and tender and can occur anywhere in the breast. In some cases, the lump can even be painful. […] In addition to a lump, you may experience one or more of the following most common breast cancer symptoms: swelling on part or all of your breast, nipple discharge (other than breast milk, if breastfeeding), skin irritation or scaling, redness of the skin on the breast and nipples, a thickening of the skin on the breast and nipples, a nipple turning inward, swelling in the arm, swelling under the armpit, swelling around the collar bone.
  • #42 Different Kinds of Breast Lumps | Stony Brook Cancer Center
    https://cancer.stonybrookmedicine.edu/breast-cancer-team/patients/bse/breastlumps
    Advanced breast cancer is a tumor that has spread from the breast to involve lymph nodes in the armpit, neck or chest. Once these are affected, the five-year survival rate drops to 73 percent or less. […] In disseminated breast cancer, the advanced tumor has grown to affect not only the adjacent lymph nodes but also, through metastasis, such other parts of the body as the bones, liver, lungs, and even the brain. When treatment does not begin until cancer has disseminated, the five-year survival rate is exceedingly low.
  • #43 Different Kinds of Breast Lumps | Stony Brook Cancer Center
    https://cancer.stonybrookmedicine.edu/breast-cancer-team/patients/bse/breastlumps
    Advanced breast cancer is a tumor that has spread from the breast to involve lymph nodes in the armpit, neck or chest. Once these are affected, the five-year survival rate drops to 73 percent or less. […] In disseminated breast cancer, the advanced tumor has grown to affect not only the adjacent lymph nodes but also, through metastasis, such other parts of the body as the bones, liver, lungs, and even the brain. When treatment does not begin until cancer has disseminated, the five-year survival rate is exceedingly low.
  • #44 Breast lumps: How to tell if its cancerous
    https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/what-does-a-breast-lump-feel-like
    Sometimes, a lump in the breast is a symptom of breast cancer. These lumps typically feel hard and uneven and are painless. However, not all breast lumps indicate cancer. […] Other warning signs of breast cancer a person should look out for are nipple discharge, dimpling skin, and breast swelling or thickening. […] According to a 2022 article, a cancerous breast lump is painless, hard, and has uneven edges. It may also attach itself to underlying tissue such as the chest wall. This means it will not move when someone prods it. […] Other changes in the breast people should look out for include nipple discharge, which may be clear or tea-colored, nipple texture and color changes, and changes in the breast, including color changes and itchy, flaky, or dimpled skin. […] That said, the longer a cancerous lump grows, the greater the risk of cancer spreading to other parts of the body. This is why it is important that people speak with a doctor as soon as they notice a lump of any size in their breast.
  • #45 Breast Cancer Signs, Symptoms and Understanding an Imaging Report | Saint John’s Cancer Institute
    https://www.saintjohnscancer.org/breast/breast-cancer/
    Triple negative breast cancer tends to be considered the worst type of breast cancer due to the tendency for rapid growth and limited treatment options. However, even within the triple negative breast cancer category there are different behaving cancers. It is best to discuss the diagnosis, treatment options and prognosis with your physician. […] Most patients do not feel unwell when they have breast cancer. In fact the majority of patients do not feel any changes. […] Breast cancer is rarely associated with pain.
  • #46 Breast Lumps in Women: Symptoms, Signs, Causes & Treatment
    https://www.medicinenet.com/breast_lumps_in_women/article.htm
    Fibroadenomas are solid, firm tumors that are usually painless or only slightly tender. They sometimes grow quickly in teenagers or during pregnancy. […] Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women in the United States. […] While most breast lumps are harmless (benign), every breast lump should be evaluated by a doctor to exclude or establish a diagnosis of cancer. […] Sometimes breast cancer causes no symptoms or signs; but when they do occur, they may include: […] Breast cancer frequently causes no pain in the breast. Although women often worry about breast pain, most women with breast pain do not have breast cancer.
  • #47 What Do Breast Cancer Lumps Feel Like? 6 Signs, Causes & Treatment
    https://www.emedicinehealth.com/breast_lumps_and_pain/article_em.htm
    Lumps and pain in breast are common and can have numerous causes. […] Most breast lumps and other changes are not cancer. […] Breast pain is a common breast problem in younger women who are still having their periods, and happens less often in older women. Although pain is a concern, breast pain is rarely the only symptom of breast cancer. Most breast cancers involve a mass or lump. […] Cyclic mastalgia: About two-thirds of women with breast pain have a problem called cyclic mastalgia. This pain typically is worse before your menstrual cycle and usually is relieved at the time your period begins. […] Noncyclic mastalgia: Breast pain that is not associated with the menstrual cycle is called noncyclic mastalgia. It occurs less often than the cyclic form. […] Many possible causes exist for pain or tenderness in one of your breasts or both breasts. Most often the pain can be attributed to harmless causes such as puberty or pregnancy.
  • #48 Common Breast Problems | AAFP
    https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2019/0415/p505.html
    Malignant masses are typically larger, fixed, hard, and heterogeneous in texture. […] The sensitivity of CBE ranges from 49% to 69%, and specificity is 86% to 99%. […] Detection of malignancy increases when imaging is added to the evaluation. […] Noncyclic/focal mastalgia should trigger diagnostic imaging because of its rare but occasional association with underlying malignancy. […] The risk of malignancy in patients with breast pain after normal CBE and mammography findings is approximately 0.5%. […] Pathologic discharge is generally spontaneous and unilateral, and originates from a single duct opening on a nipple. […] An underlying malignancy is identified in up to 21% of patients with pathologic discharge who undergo biopsy.
  • #49 What Do Breast Cancer Lumps Feel Like? 6 Signs, Causes & Treatment
    https://www.emedicinehealth.com/breast_lumps_and_pain/article_em.htm
    Lumps and pain in breast are common and can have numerous causes. […] Most breast lumps and other changes are not cancer. […] Breast pain is a common breast problem in younger women who are still having their periods, and happens less often in older women. Although pain is a concern, breast pain is rarely the only symptom of breast cancer. Most breast cancers involve a mass or lump. […] Cyclic mastalgia: About two-thirds of women with breast pain have a problem called cyclic mastalgia. This pain typically is worse before your menstrual cycle and usually is relieved at the time your period begins. […] Noncyclic mastalgia: Breast pain that is not associated with the menstrual cycle is called noncyclic mastalgia. It occurs less often than the cyclic form. […] Many possible causes exist for pain or tenderness in one of your breasts or both breasts. Most often the pain can be attributed to harmless causes such as puberty or pregnancy.
  • #50 Common Breast Problems | AAFP
    https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2019/0415/p505.html
    Malignant masses are typically larger, fixed, hard, and heterogeneous in texture. […] The sensitivity of CBE ranges from 49% to 69%, and specificity is 86% to 99%. […] Detection of malignancy increases when imaging is added to the evaluation. […] Noncyclic/focal mastalgia should trigger diagnostic imaging because of its rare but occasional association with underlying malignancy. […] The risk of malignancy in patients with breast pain after normal CBE and mammography findings is approximately 0.5%. […] Pathologic discharge is generally spontaneous and unilateral, and originates from a single duct opening on a nipple. […] An underlying malignancy is identified in up to 21% of patients with pathologic discharge who undergo biopsy.
  • #51 What to Do if You Find a Breast Lump | Susan G. Komen®
    https://www.komen.org/breast-cancer/screening/what-to-do-if-you-find-a-lump/
    If you find a lump (or any change in your breast or underarm area), see a health care provider to be sure its not breast cancer. […] Lumps that feel harder or different from the rest of the breast (or your other breast) or lumps that feel like a change are a concern and should be checked. These types of lumps may be a sign of breast cancer or a benign breast condition (such as a cyst or fibroadenoma). […] See a health care provider if you notice any of these warning signs of breast cancer: Lump, hard knot or thickening inside the breast or underarm area. […] Pain in your breasts may be related to your menstrual period. However, if the pain doesnt go away, dont ignore it. Although pain is rarely a sign of breast cancer, its best to see a health care provider to be sure.
  • #52 Breast Cancer Signs, Symptoms and Understanding an Imaging Report | Saint John’s Cancer Institute
    https://www.saintjohnscancer.org/breast/breast-cancer/
    If you find a lump or other change in your breast even if a recent mammogram was normal you should call us immediately. If you haven’t yet gone through menopause, you may want to wait through one menstrual cycle before seeing your doctor. If the change hasn’t gone away after a month, have it evaluated. […] Breast cancer is usually associated with any symptoms. Most patient who presents with cancer will not have noted any changes in their health. Some early signs that warrant work up for possible cancer include bloody nipple discharge, skin dimpling and or retraction of the nipple. […] Not all breast cancers spread at the same rate. Some can be faster growing like the more aggressive types like triple negative breast cancer however most change or spread can take several months to several years.
  • #53 Breast Fibroadenoma: Symptoms, Treatment & Removal
    https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15690-fibroadenomas-of-the-breast
    Fibroadenomas are solid lumps (not filled with fluid) in one or both breasts. They aren’t painful and move easily under your skin if you push them around your breast. They can be as small as a pea or grow as large as a golf ball (about 2 to 3 cm is typical). […] You may notice it becomes tender in the few days just before the start of your period. Large fibroadenomas are more likely to cause pain than small fibroadenomas. […] Fibroadenomas tend to grow very slowly, but they don’t always get bigger and may even shrink. This is especially true if you’re in your teens or have reached menopause. Conversely, a fibroadenoma may grow larger during pregnancy. […] Most fibroadenomas aren’t life-threatening or cancerous. But, they can get bigger, change in appearance or become painful. […] Healthcare providers may recommend removing a fibroadenoma if it’s large, painful or suspicious. However, this isn’t always the case. Many fibroadenomas shrink or go away without treatment. […] In the case of a small, unsuspicious fibroadenoma, nothing happens if it goes untreated. Your healthcare provider is the best person to decide if removing a fibroadenoma is necessary or if monitoring it for changes is a better route.
  • #54 Fibrocystic breasts – UF Health
    https://ufhealth.org/conditions-and-treatments/fibrocystic-breasts
    Symptoms are more often worse right before your menstrual period. They tend to get better after your period starts. […] Symptoms may include: Pain or discomfort in both breasts that may come and go with your period, but may last through the whole month. Breasts that feel full, swollen, or heavy. Pain or discomfort under the arms. Breast lumps that change in size with the menstrual period. […] You may have a lump in the same area of the breast that becomes larger before each period and returns to its original size afterward. This type of lump moves when it is pushed with your fingers. It does not feel stuck or fixed to the tissue around it. This type of lump is common with fibrocystic breasts. […] However, a lump that stays the same throughout your menstrual cycle is considered suspicious. In this case, your provider may recommend a core needle biopsy. In this test, a small amount of tissue is removed from the lump and examined under a microscope.
  • #55 Fibrocystic breast disease Information | Mount Sinai – New York
    https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/diseases-conditions/fibrocystic-breast-disease
    Symptoms are more often worse right before your menstrual period. They tend to get better after your period starts. […] Symptoms may include: Pain or discomfort in both breasts that may come and go with your period, but may last through the whole month. Breasts that feel full, swollen, or heavy. Pain or discomfort under the arms. Breast lumps that change in size with the menstrual period. […] You may have a lump in the same area of the breast that becomes larger before each period and returns to its original size afterward. This type of lump moves when it is pushed with your fingers. It does not feel stuck or fixed to the tissue around it. This type of lump is common with fibrocystic breasts. […] Surgery is never done to treat this condition. However, a lump that stays the same throughout your menstrual cycle is considered suspicious. In this case, your provider may recommend a core needle biopsy. In this test, a small amount of tissue is removed from the lump and examined under a microscope.
  • #56 Breast Fibroadenoma: Symptoms, Treatment & Removal
    https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15690-fibroadenomas-of-the-breast
    Fibroadenomas are solid lumps (not filled with fluid) in one or both breasts. They aren’t painful and move easily under your skin if you push them around your breast. They can be as small as a pea or grow as large as a golf ball (about 2 to 3 cm is typical). […] You may notice it becomes tender in the few days just before the start of your period. Large fibroadenomas are more likely to cause pain than small fibroadenomas. […] Fibroadenomas tend to grow very slowly, but they don’t always get bigger and may even shrink. This is especially true if you’re in your teens or have reached menopause. Conversely, a fibroadenoma may grow larger during pregnancy. […] Most fibroadenomas aren’t life-threatening or cancerous. But, they can get bigger, change in appearance or become painful. […] Healthcare providers may recommend removing a fibroadenoma if it’s large, painful or suspicious. However, this isn’t always the case. Many fibroadenomas shrink or go away without treatment. […] In the case of a small, unsuspicious fibroadenoma, nothing happens if it goes untreated. Your healthcare provider is the best person to decide if removing a fibroadenoma is necessary or if monitoring it for changes is a better route.
  • #57 Breast Fibroadenoma: Symptoms, Treatment & Removal
    https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15690-fibroadenomas-of-the-breast
    Fibroadenomas are solid lumps (not filled with fluid) in one or both breasts. They aren’t painful and move easily under your skin if you push them around your breast. They can be as small as a pea or grow as large as a golf ball (about 2 to 3 cm is typical). […] You may notice it becomes tender in the few days just before the start of your period. Large fibroadenomas are more likely to cause pain than small fibroadenomas. […] Fibroadenomas tend to grow very slowly, but they don’t always get bigger and may even shrink. This is especially true if you’re in your teens or have reached menopause. Conversely, a fibroadenoma may grow larger during pregnancy. […] Most fibroadenomas aren’t life-threatening or cancerous. But, they can get bigger, change in appearance or become painful. […] Healthcare providers may recommend removing a fibroadenoma if it’s large, painful or suspicious. However, this isn’t always the case. Many fibroadenomas shrink or go away without treatment. […] In the case of a small, unsuspicious fibroadenoma, nothing happens if it goes untreated. Your healthcare provider is the best person to decide if removing a fibroadenoma is necessary or if monitoring it for changes is a better route.
  • #58 Breast Cancer Signs, Symptoms and Understanding an Imaging Report | Saint John’s Cancer Institute
    https://www.saintjohnscancer.org/breast/breast-cancer/
    If you find a lump or other change in your breast even if a recent mammogram was normal you should call us immediately. If you haven’t yet gone through menopause, you may want to wait through one menstrual cycle before seeing your doctor. If the change hasn’t gone away after a month, have it evaluated. […] Breast cancer is usually associated with any symptoms. Most patient who presents with cancer will not have noted any changes in their health. Some early signs that warrant work up for possible cancer include bloody nipple discharge, skin dimpling and or retraction of the nipple. […] Not all breast cancers spread at the same rate. Some can be faster growing like the more aggressive types like triple negative breast cancer however most change or spread can take several months to several years.
  • #59 Breast Cancer Lumps: What They Feel Like, Other Symptoms, and More
    https://www.healthline.com/health/breast-cancer/breast-cancer-lumps
    Its easier to treat breast cancer when its caught early. While most breast lumps are noncancerous, see a doctor if: youve had a lump more than a week or two and its not getting smaller, there are other changes to your breast size, shape, or color, the skin on your breast is dimpled or puckered, your nipple is turning inward, you have blood or other unusual discharge from the nipple. […] You can have breast cancer without having a lump. Inflammatory breast cancer, for example, may not cause a lump or appear on a mammogram. Signs of inflammatory breast cancer include: one breast is swollen and has gotten larger than the other, itchiness, tenderness, pain, skin is dimpled and resembles an orange peel, changes to skin color, ridges or thickening areas, breast feels warm to the touch, flat or retracted nipple. […] Research shows that delayed treatment is associated with more advanced disease and overall poorer survival. But when breast cancer is detected and treated early, survival rate is quite high.
  • #60 Common Breast Lumps That Aren’t Cancer | Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
    https://www.mskcc.org/news/common-breast-lumps-that-arent-cancer
    A breast lump should always be checked out by a doctor, who may recommend diagnostic imaging such as mammogram and breast ultrasound. […] Many lumps turn out to be benign, says Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center breast radiologist Kimberly N. Feigin, MD, Acting Chief of Breast Radiology at MSK. But the most important thing is to not ignore it. Get it checked out. […] The earlier breast cancer is caught, the easier it is to treat. […] A cancerous lump will not change with your menstrual cycle, Dr. Feigin says. […] Moveable breast lumps are usually not cancer. More often, they are fibroadenomas or cysts. While moveable breast lumps are often benign, they still should be checked by a doctor. Most breast cancers start out as moveable lumps in their early stages, so it is important to consult with an expert to rule out cancer.
  • #61 Different Kinds of Breast Lumps | Stony Brook Cancer Center
    https://cancer.stonybrookmedicine.edu/breast-cancer-team/patients/bse/breastlumps
    Although some breast cancers may first announce their presence by nipple secretions, changes in the nipple’s appearance, nipple tenderness or dimpling or puckering of the skin, most malignant tumors appear first as SINGLE, HARD LUMPS OR THICKENINGS that are frequently, but not always, painless. […] Any change in size, shape, texture or nipple that occurs in one breast only is more dangerous than if such changes happen simultaneously in both breasts in the same position. Report such a change at once. […] Early breast cancer is confined to the breast only. Even an „early” tumor (defined as an inch or less in size) may have been growing for as long as eight years before it is large enough to be detected. Regular medical breast exams by your doctor or other healthcare professional and mammograms will greatly increase your chances of recognizing an early breast cancer. The five-year survival rate for woman whose breast cancers are treated in the early, localized stage is 96 percent.
  • #62 Breast Cancer Signs, Symptoms and Understanding an Imaging Report | Saint John’s Cancer Institute
    https://www.saintjohnscancer.org/breast/breast-cancer/
    If you find a lump or other change in your breast even if a recent mammogram was normal you should call us immediately. If you haven’t yet gone through menopause, you may want to wait through one menstrual cycle before seeing your doctor. If the change hasn’t gone away after a month, have it evaluated. […] Breast cancer is usually associated with any symptoms. Most patient who presents with cancer will not have noted any changes in their health. Some early signs that warrant work up for possible cancer include bloody nipple discharge, skin dimpling and or retraction of the nipple. […] Not all breast cancers spread at the same rate. Some can be faster growing like the more aggressive types like triple negative breast cancer however most change or spread can take several months to several years.
  • #63 Different Kinds of Breast Lumps | Stony Brook Cancer Center
    https://cancer.stonybrookmedicine.edu/breast-cancer-team/patients/bse/breastlumps
    Advanced breast cancer is a tumor that has spread from the breast to involve lymph nodes in the armpit, neck or chest. Once these are affected, the five-year survival rate drops to 73 percent or less. […] In disseminated breast cancer, the advanced tumor has grown to affect not only the adjacent lymph nodes but also, through metastasis, such other parts of the body as the bones, liver, lungs, and even the brain. When treatment does not begin until cancer has disseminated, the five-year survival rate is exceedingly low.
  • #64 Breast Cancer Signs, Symptoms and Understanding an Imaging Report | Saint John’s Cancer Institute
    https://www.saintjohnscancer.org/breast/breast-cancer/
    If you find a lump or other change in your breast even if a recent mammogram was normal you should call us immediately. If you haven’t yet gone through menopause, you may want to wait through one menstrual cycle before seeing your doctor. If the change hasn’t gone away after a month, have it evaluated. […] Breast cancer is usually associated with any symptoms. Most patient who presents with cancer will not have noted any changes in their health. Some early signs that warrant work up for possible cancer include bloody nipple discharge, skin dimpling and or retraction of the nipple. […] Not all breast cancers spread at the same rate. Some can be faster growing like the more aggressive types like triple negative breast cancer however most change or spread can take several months to several years.
  • #65 ‘How I knew I had inflammatory breast cancer’: 6 survivors’ symptoms | MD Anderson Cancer Center
    https://www.mdanderson.org/cancerwise/how-i-knew-i-had-inflammatory-breast-cancer—6-survivors-describe-their-symptoms.h00-159699912.html
    Inflammatory breast cancer symptoms tend to appear very quickly. […] At first, patients might complain of a spot-like rash, or of their bra not fitting like it used to or suddenly feeling tight, explains Bora Lim, M.D.., a medical oncologist who specializes in the treatment of inflammatory breast cancer. Then, in a matter of months, weeks or even days, more than half of their breast or their entire breast is involved. […] One-sided breast swelling is another classic sign of inflammatory breast cancer. So is a subtle dimpling of the skin called peau dorange, named for the surface of orange peel it resembles. […] A rash or a change in skin color on the breast is another sign of inflammatory breast cancer. […] Pain and lumps are not always symptoms of inflammatory breast cancer, but they can be.
  • #66 ‘How I knew I had inflammatory breast cancer’: 6 survivors’ symptoms | MD Anderson Cancer Center
    https://www.mdanderson.org/cancerwise/how-i-knew-i-had-inflammatory-breast-cancer—6-survivors-describe-their-symptoms.h00-159699912.html
    Nipple inversion is one of two inflammatory breast cancer symptoms that Lim says warrants an immediate call to your doctor. […] The other red flag IBC symptom is a lump or a nodule popping up around your neck, collar bone or armpit. […] Inflammatory breast cancer is advanced by its very nature, notes Lim. Even at its earliest, its already considered at least stage III.
  • #67 Breast Cancer Lumps: What They Feel Like, Other Symptoms, and More
    https://www.healthline.com/health/breast-cancer/breast-cancer-lumps
    Its easier to treat breast cancer when its caught early. While most breast lumps are noncancerous, see a doctor if: youve had a lump more than a week or two and its not getting smaller, there are other changes to your breast size, shape, or color, the skin on your breast is dimpled or puckered, your nipple is turning inward, you have blood or other unusual discharge from the nipple. […] You can have breast cancer without having a lump. Inflammatory breast cancer, for example, may not cause a lump or appear on a mammogram. Signs of inflammatory breast cancer include: one breast is swollen and has gotten larger than the other, itchiness, tenderness, pain, skin is dimpled and resembles an orange peel, changes to skin color, ridges or thickening areas, breast feels warm to the touch, flat or retracted nipple. […] Research shows that delayed treatment is associated with more advanced disease and overall poorer survival. But when breast cancer is detected and treated early, survival rate is quite high.
  • #68 Suspicious breast lumps // Middlesex Health
    https://middlesexhealth.org/learning-center/diseases-and-conditions/suspicious-breast-lumps
    Breast tissue typically might feel lumpy or ropy. You also may have breast tenderness that comes and goes with your menstrual period. […] If you have a health problem that affects your breasts, you might notice changes in how your breasts usually feel. These changes can include: A round, smooth and firm breast lump. A lump that feels firm and moves easily under the skin. A hard breast lump with irregular edges. An area of skin that has changed color. Skin dimpling like an orange. New changes in breast size or shape. Fluid leaking from the nipple. […] Make an appointment to have a breast lump checked, especially if: The lump is new and feels firm or fixed. The lump doesn’t go away after 4 to 6 weeks. Or it has changed in size or in how it feels. You notice skin changes on your breast such as a change in skin color, crusting, dimpling or puckering. Fluid comes out of the nipple suddenly on more than one occasion. The fluid might be bloody. The nipple recently turned inward. There is a new lump in your armpit, or a lump in your armpit seems to be getting bigger.
  • #69 Suspicious breast lumps | Beacon Health System
    https://www.beaconhealthsystem.org/library/diseases-and-conditions/suspicious-breast-lumps?content_id=CON-20305543
    Make an appointment to have a breast lump checked, especially if: The lump is new and feels firm or fixed. The lump doesn’t go away after 4 to 6 weeks. Or it has changed in size or in how it feels. You notice skin changes on your breast such as a change in skin color, crusting, dimpling or puckering. Fluid comes out of the nipple suddenly on more than one occasion. The fluid might be bloody. The nipple recently turned inward. There is a new lump in your armpit, or a lump in your armpit seems to be getting bigger. […] A breast lump that’s painless, hard, has irregular edges and is different from the breast tissue around it might be breast cancer. The skin covering the lump may thicken, change color or look red. There also may be skin changes such as dimpled or pitted areas that look like the skin of an orange. Your breast size and shape may change. You may notice fluid leaking from the nipple, or the nipple may turn inward. The lymph nodes under the arm or near the collarbone might be swollen.
  • #70 Suspicious breast lumps | Beacon Health System
    https://www.beaconhealthsystem.org/library/diseases-and-conditions/suspicious-breast-lumps?content_id=CON-20305543
    Make an appointment to have a breast lump checked, especially if: The lump is new and feels firm or fixed. The lump doesn’t go away after 4 to 6 weeks. Or it has changed in size or in how it feels. You notice skin changes on your breast such as a change in skin color, crusting, dimpling or puckering. Fluid comes out of the nipple suddenly on more than one occasion. The fluid might be bloody. The nipple recently turned inward. There is a new lump in your armpit, or a lump in your armpit seems to be getting bigger. […] A breast lump that’s painless, hard, has irregular edges and is different from the breast tissue around it might be breast cancer. The skin covering the lump may thicken, change color or look red. There also may be skin changes such as dimpled or pitted areas that look like the skin of an orange. Your breast size and shape may change. You may notice fluid leaking from the nipple, or the nipple may turn inward. The lymph nodes under the arm or near the collarbone might be swollen.
  • #71 Breast Lumps: Types, Benign, Moveable, Causes & Diagnosis
    https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/6906-breast-lumps
    A breast lump is a mass or growth that develops in your breast. While a breast lump can be a sign of breast cancer, its usually benign (not cancerous). In fact, 8 out of 10 breast lumps are noncancerous. […] Symptoms of cancerous breast lumps vary for everyone. Some of the things you should watch for include: A hard, discrete lump is the most common sign of breast cancer. The tissue feels very different than the surrounding breast tissue. Early on, its movable. It becomes less moveable later. […] Breast lumps are one of the symptoms of breast cancer. But, often, breast lumps arent cancerous. Several other conditions can cause breast lumps. […] Breast infections are relatively common and can occur in both lactating and non-lactating people. They tend to come on rapidly (days to a week), with pain, redness and sometimes a lump or an area of hardened tissue. They may progress to a breast abscess. […] If you feel a breast lump or any other change in your breast, talk to your healthcare provider. They can figure out the cause of the lump and if you need treatment.
  • #72 How to Tell if a Breast Lump Is Cancerous | BASS Medical Group
    https://www.bassmedicalgroup.com/blog-post/cancerous-breast-lump
    Finding a lump in your breast can be alarming, but not every lump is cancerous. […] If you notice any of the following symptoms, schedule a medical evaluation promptly: A new lump in the breast or underarm area […] A breast lump is more concerning if it presents with any of the following: A firm, hard texture with irregular edges […] Many cancerous breast lumps are painless in the early stages. […] If you notice a new lump or changes in your breast, don’t wait. See a doctor for a clinical breast exam and diagnostic imaging, such as: Mammogram […] Early diagnosis allows for more treatment options and better outcomes.
  • #73 Is a lump in your breast always cancer? 4 signs of breast cancer | Nebraska Medicine Omaha, NE
    https://www.nebraskamed.com/cancer/breast-cancer/is-a-lump-in-your-breast-always-breast-cancer-4-signs-of-breast-cancer
    Breast lumps have many causes sometimes cancer, but often not. If you notice a change in your breasts, it’s natural to feel a bit anxious. […] „Lumps in the breast aren’t always cancer,” says Dr. Santamaria. „About 10% to 20% of lumps are cancer. The rest are benign.” […] Signs of cancerous lumps: Rock hard, Irregular borders, Attached, or hard to move. […] Other signs of breast cancer include: Nipple discharge especially red, brown or rust-colored, Other lumps nearby or in the armpit, Lump eroding or growing through the skin, causing an open wound, Bleeding or drainage from the lump. […] „Cancerous lumps can be painful,” says Dr. Santamaria. „But benign fibrocystic lumps, a fibroadenoma or a breast cyst typically hurt more than cancerous lumps.” […] „Listen to your body,” says Dr. Santamaria. „We’ve seen breast cancer in 20-year-olds, so don’t ignore it.” Early detection means better outcomes: When breast cancer is caught early, the five-year survival rate is 99%.
  • #74 What Does a Lump in Your Breast Feel Like?
    https://www.cancercenter.com/community/blog/2023/08/what-does-a-lump-in-your-breast-feel-like
    A lump in your breast is always concerning, even if its cause may not be. […] If you notice an area of your breast that feels different from the surrounding tissue or corresponding tissue on the opposite breast, thats a concern, says Dennis Citrin, MB ChB, PhD, Medical Oncologist at City of Hope Chicago. […] A breast lump feels like a distinct mass thats more solid than the rest of the breast tissue. […] Although the only way to know for sure if a lump is cancerous is through breast imaging and biopsy, lumps that grow in size, dont move under the skin, contain small nodules or are bleeding or inflamed need immediate attention from a doctor, Dr. Citrin says. […] Most breast cancer lumps dont cause pain. […] Any pain, tenderness or swelling that persists for more than a few days, though, should be checked out by a doctor, especially if you have a family history of breast cancer. […] If you discover a lump in your breast, dont automatically assume its cancer. […] But you should always let your doctor know if you find a lump that doesnt go away. […] Finding breast cancer earlywhen its small and hasnt spreadis one of the best strategies for treating it.
  • #75 Breast Health: Follow-up after an abnormal mammogram – NCI
    https://www.cancer.gov/types/breast/breast-changes
    Follow up with your doctor or nurse if you notice a breast changeeven if you are not due for a mammogram. Breast cancer that develops between mammograms is known as an interval breast cancer. These breast cancers tend to be larger, grow and spread more quickly, and have a worse prognosis than breast cancers that are found during a screening mammogram. […] If your mammogram results were abnormal: An abnormal breast change was found. Although many breast changes found on a mammogram are benign (not cancer), its important to get the follow-up tests advised by your doctor or nurse. […] When an imaging procedure shows an abnormal breast change, a biopsy may be needed to make a definitive diagnosis.
  • #76 Is a lump in your breast always cancer? 4 signs of breast cancer | Nebraska Medicine Omaha, NE
    https://www.nebraskamed.com/cancer/breast-cancer/is-a-lump-in-your-breast-always-breast-cancer-4-signs-of-breast-cancer
    Breast lumps have many causes sometimes cancer, but often not. If you notice a change in your breasts, it’s natural to feel a bit anxious. […] „Lumps in the breast aren’t always cancer,” says Dr. Santamaria. „About 10% to 20% of lumps are cancer. The rest are benign.” […] Signs of cancerous lumps: Rock hard, Irregular borders, Attached, or hard to move. […] Other signs of breast cancer include: Nipple discharge especially red, brown or rust-colored, Other lumps nearby or in the armpit, Lump eroding or growing through the skin, causing an open wound, Bleeding or drainage from the lump. […] „Cancerous lumps can be painful,” says Dr. Santamaria. „But benign fibrocystic lumps, a fibroadenoma or a breast cyst typically hurt more than cancerous lumps.” […] „Listen to your body,” says Dr. Santamaria. „We’ve seen breast cancer in 20-year-olds, so don’t ignore it.” Early detection means better outcomes: When breast cancer is caught early, the five-year survival rate is 99%.
  • #77 Breast Cancer Symptoms – Marie Keating Foundation
    https://mariekeating.ie/cancer-information/breast-cancer/breast-cancer-symptoms/
    If you notice one or more of these signs, don’t panic as it does not necessarily mean that you have breast cancer. These symptoms can be caused by other medical conditions. However, all of the above symptoms should be looked at by your GP. […] Your GP will examine your breasts and, if necessary, send you to specialist breast cancer clinic for further tests. […] If you are concerned about pain in your breast, or notice other changes in your breasts such as lumps, puckering, bleeding or discharge from the nipple or changes in the shape or size of your breasts or nipple, see your GP. […] Remember, the earlier breast cancer is picked up, the easier it is to treat it and the more likely the treatment is to be successful. So it is important that you go to your GP as soon as possible if you notice worrying symptoms.
  • #78 Breast lumps: How to tell if its cancerous
    https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/what-does-a-breast-lump-feel-like
    A cancerous breast lump often has the following characteristics: Hard: It typically feels solid and firm to the touch. Irregular edges: The lump often has uneven or jagged edges, though some can be rounded. Painless: Most cancerous lumps do not cause pain, though this is not always the case. Fixed: It may feel anchored to the tissue in the breast and not move easily when pushed. Persistent: The lump does not go away over time and may gradually grow. […] If a person has breast cancer, they may notice other symptoms, such as other lumps near the armpit or discharge from the nipple. […] A person should always speak with a doctor if they find a lump in their breast, no matter how small the lump is. If the lump is cancerous and grows bigger, the cancer cells could break off and spread to other areas of the body.
  • #79 Fibrocystic Breast vs. Cancer: Learn the Differences
    https://www.verywellhealth.com/fibrocystic-breast-changes-3520628
    Whether you have fibrocystic breasts or cancer, the first sign is usually a lump in your breast. […] The first symptom of fibrocystic breasts and breast cancer is lumps, but there are a few telltale differences between them: […] One way to tell whether a lump is a fibrocystic breast change or cancer is to determine whether its painful. In this context, pain is a good sign. Fibrocystic breast changes grow quickly, pressing against tissues and causing pain. In contrast, 99% of cancerous lumps do not cause pain. […] Fibrocystic breast lumps appear, change in size (getting larger or smaller), or cause more pain just before your menstrual period. These lumps are softer than cancer-related lumps and may feel spongy or stringy. […] Cancerous lumps can appear at any time. They may consistently enlarge over time, but they don’t change during your monthly cycles. Breast cancer lumps typically feel firm or hard.
  • #80 Breast Cancer Lumps: What They Feel Like, Other Symptoms, and More
    https://www.healthline.com/health/breast-cancer/breast-cancer-lumps
    A breast lump that feels firm or hard that you cant move easily could be a symptom of breast cancer. […] A breast lump is the most common sign of breast cancer. Finding one can be unsettling, but most breast lumps turn out to be something other than cancer. Breast cancer lumps tend to be firm and dont usually cause pain, but there are exceptions. […] A cancerous breast lump is likely to feel firm or hard. Other features of a breast cancer lump are: the edges are irregular, you cant easily move it underneath the skin with your fingers, its growing, its located in the upper outer quadrant of your breast. […] Other warning signs of breast cancer are: a new lump somewhere in your breast or underarm, thickening or swelling, even without a lump, skin is red, tender, and warm to the touch, dimpling, puckering, or scaling of the skin, breast or nipple pain, change to shape, size, or color of breast, blood or other unusual discharge from the nipple, nipple is turning inward.
  • #81 Symptoms of breast cancer | Cancer Research UK
    https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/breast-cancer/symptoms
    The first symptom of breast cancer most people notice is a lump in their breast or some thickening. […] Symptoms to look out for include: a new lump or thickening in your breast, chest or armpit […] Breast cancer might cause your breast to look bigger or have a different shape than usual, it might feel different. […] Fluid leaking from the nipple when you’re not pregnant or breastfeeding. This can be a sign of breast cancer, but other medical conditions can also cause this. […] One nipple might turn in or sink into the breast. It might look or feel different than usual. […] Your symptoms may not be due to breast cancer, and they may not make you feel unwell. But it is important that any symptoms you have are checked by a doctor, even if you are feeling well. […] The earlier a cancer is picked up, the easier it is to treat it and the more likely the treatment is to be successful.
  • #82 Breast Cancer Symptoms – Marie Keating Foundation
    https://mariekeating.ie/cancer-information/breast-cancer/breast-cancer-symptoms/
    If you notice one or more of these signs, don’t panic as it does not necessarily mean that you have breast cancer. These symptoms can be caused by other medical conditions. However, all of the above symptoms should be looked at by your GP. […] Your GP will examine your breasts and, if necessary, send you to specialist breast cancer clinic for further tests. […] If you are concerned about pain in your breast, or notice other changes in your breasts such as lumps, puckering, bleeding or discharge from the nipple or changes in the shape or size of your breasts or nipple, see your GP. […] Remember, the earlier breast cancer is picked up, the easier it is to treat it and the more likely the treatment is to be successful. So it is important that you go to your GP as soon as possible if you notice worrying symptoms.
  • #83 Breast lump Information | Mount Sinai – New York
    https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/symptoms/breast-lump
    Contact your provider if: You find a new breast lump during self-exam. […] Your provider will perform a thorough breast exam. […] Steps your provider may take next include: Ordering a mammogram to look for cancer, or a breast ultrasound to see if the lump is solid or a cyst. […] How a breast lump is treated depends on the cause. […] If you are diagnosed with breast cancer, you will discuss your options carefully and thoroughly with your provider.
  • #84 Breast Lumps: Imaging Tests and Treatment
    https://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info/breastlumps
    A lump may be discovered by a woman doing breast self-exam or by her health care provider during a physical exam. Suspicious lumps may also be detected during annual screening mammography. […] If these tests do not clearly show that the lump is benign, a biopsy may be necessary. […] If a lump is proven to be cancer, surgery is usually performed.
  • #85 Palpable breast lumps: An age-based approach to evaluation and diagnosis
    https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9575372/
    A palpable breast lump is a common presentation of breast disease to a general practitioner. Fortunately, investigation of most of these lumps will lead to a benign diagnosis. […] The risk of a breast lump representing a breast cancer increases with age, with a 1/204 (0.49%) chance of breast cancer for a woman in her thirties, compared with 1/28 (3.54%) chance for a woman in her sixties. […] The most common lump in adolescence is a fibroadenoma, representing 95% of breast lumps. […] While consulting an adolescent, it is essential to enquire and look for possible red flags, which would include a significant family history of breast cancer under the age of 40, an irregular firm mass, skin erythema or tethering, bloody nipple discharge or nipple retraction and a rapidly enlarging mass. […] With an increase in age, the risk of breast cancer increases. Therefore, it is recommended that all women over 25 undergo a full triple assessment. […] The safest approach would be to remove all palpable breast lumps in patients over 30 years.
  • #86 Common Breast Lumps That Aren’t Cancer | Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
    https://www.mskcc.org/news/common-breast-lumps-that-arent-cancer
    Usually not. Most painful breast lumps are caused by benign conditions such as cysts, fibroadenomas, or hormonal changes. However, as with movable lumps, you should have any breast lump evaluated by an expert to determine the cause. […] The size of a breast lump alone does not determine if it is breast cancer. Breast cancer can appear as small or large lumps. The size of the lump also does not indicate the cancer stage or severity, although larger lumps may sometimes be more advanced tumors. Regardless of size, any new breast lump should be examined by an expert. […] A physical exam alone cannot reliably distinguish a benign lump in the breast from a suspicious one, so a diagnostic imaging evaluation is warranted. This usually entails a mammogram and breast ultrasound. Sometimes additional testing may also be needed.
  • #87 Palpable breast lumps: An age-based approach to evaluation and diagnosis
    https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9575372/
    A palpable breast lump is a common presentation of breast disease to a general practitioner. Fortunately, investigation of most of these lumps will lead to a benign diagnosis. […] The risk of a breast lump representing a breast cancer increases with age, with a 1/204 (0.49%) chance of breast cancer for a woman in her thirties, compared with 1/28 (3.54%) chance for a woman in her sixties. […] The most common lump in adolescence is a fibroadenoma, representing 95% of breast lumps. […] While consulting an adolescent, it is essential to enquire and look for possible red flags, which would include a significant family history of breast cancer under the age of 40, an irregular firm mass, skin erythema or tethering, bloody nipple discharge or nipple retraction and a rapidly enlarging mass. […] With an increase in age, the risk of breast cancer increases. Therefore, it is recommended that all women over 25 undergo a full triple assessment. […] The safest approach would be to remove all palpable breast lumps in patients over 30 years.
  • #88 Breast Cancer Symptoms – Marie Keating Foundation
    https://mariekeating.ie/cancer-information/breast-cancer/breast-cancer-symptoms/
    Breast awareness means becoming familiar with your breasts and how they look and feel at different times of the month. […] You may notice that your breasts change in size, shape or in how they feel at different times of the month. […] Breastfeeding lowers the risk of breast cancer, especially in premenopausal women. […] It is important to attend for breast screening tests with BreastCheck when you are invited. You should also check your breasts once a month, looking and feeling for any changes.
  • #89 Symptoms — Know Your Lemons® for Early Detection
    https://www.knowyourlemons.org/symptoms
    A lump is the most common symptom of breast cancer, but its not the only symptom. […] Most lumps turn out to be harmless, such as a fluid filled cyst or a fibroadenoma. But if you notice a hard lump (or any change) that doesnt come and go with your menstrual cycle, dont ignore it. The sooner breast cancer is found, the more easily it can be treated. […] However, a thickening in your breast that doesnt go away or gets worse could also be a sign of breast cancer. […] If time, antibiotics or other treatments dont improve the symptom, it could be a sign of Inflammatory Breast Cancer. This type of cancer blocks the flow of lymph in the breast, which causes swelling and redness but without an obvious hard lump. […] If fluid is leaking from the breast outside of these changes, it is something that should be checked out, especially if it is clear or contains blood.
  • #90 Different Kinds of Breast Lumps | Stony Brook Cancer Center
    https://cancer.stonybrookmedicine.edu/breast-cancer-team/patients/bse/breastlumps
    Although some breast cancers may first announce their presence by nipple secretions, changes in the nipple’s appearance, nipple tenderness or dimpling or puckering of the skin, most malignant tumors appear first as SINGLE, HARD LUMPS OR THICKENINGS that are frequently, but not always, painless. […] Any change in size, shape, texture or nipple that occurs in one breast only is more dangerous than if such changes happen simultaneously in both breasts in the same position. Report such a change at once. […] Early breast cancer is confined to the breast only. Even an „early” tumor (defined as an inch or less in size) may have been growing for as long as eight years before it is large enough to be detected. Regular medical breast exams by your doctor or other healthcare professional and mammograms will greatly increase your chances of recognizing an early breast cancer. The five-year survival rate for woman whose breast cancers are treated in the early, localized stage is 96 percent.
  • #91 Different Kinds of Breast Lumps | Stony Brook Cancer Center
    https://cancer.stonybrookmedicine.edu/breast-cancer-team/patients/bse/breastlumps
    Advanced breast cancer is a tumor that has spread from the breast to involve lymph nodes in the armpit, neck or chest. Once these are affected, the five-year survival rate drops to 73 percent or less. […] In disseminated breast cancer, the advanced tumor has grown to affect not only the adjacent lymph nodes but also, through metastasis, such other parts of the body as the bones, liver, lungs, and even the brain. When treatment does not begin until cancer has disseminated, the five-year survival rate is exceedingly low.