Figure 1. Breast cancer, colored MRI of a 32-year-old patient. There are several malignant tumors (blue) in the left breast (at right). This is a centrally necrotizing carcinoma, a particularly aggressive form of cancer. The tumors consist of a central core of dead cells surrounded by an outer layer of malignant cells.
Early-stage breast cancer is often asymptomatic, and pain and discomfort are typically not present. Only 5% of patients with a malignant mass present with breast pain.
When a breast lump is discovered, other signs and symptoms that may indicate the presence of breast cancer include:
Skin dimpling or skin changes
Recent nipple inversion or skin change, or nipple abnormalities
Single-duct discharge, particularly if blood-stained
Axillary lump
Change in breast size or shape
Although skin dimpling or skin changes may occur in early-stage breast cancer, particularly inflammatory breast cancer, it is not diagnostic for breast cancer, and other causes should be ruled out.
Breathing difficulties may be indicative of metastatic breast cancer rather than early-stage disease.
Learn more about the signs and symptoms of breast cancer.
Medscape © 2021 WebMD, LLC
Any views expressed above are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect the views of WebMD or Medscape.
Cite this: Maurie Markman. Fast Five Quiz: Early-Stage Breast Cancer - Medscape - Jan 14, 2021.
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