Another rare form of breast cancer , angiosarcoma forms inside the lymph and blood vessels. Only a biopsy may definitively diagnose this type of cancer. Angiosarcoma can cause changes to the skin of your breast, such as the development of purple-colored nodules that resemble a bruise.
These nodules, if bumped or scratched, may bleed. Over time, these discolored areas may expand, making your skin appear swollen in that area.
You may or may not have breast lumps with angiosarcoma. If you also have lymphedema , which is swelling caused by a buildup of lymphatic fluid, angiosarcoma may occur in the affected arm. Cancer treatment sometimes damages the lymph vessels, which may lead to lymphedema. Most phyllodes tumors are benign, but one in four is considered cancerous, according to the ACS. This rare type of cancer is found in the connective tissues of the breast.
Because these tumors may grow quickly, causing the skin to stretch, they need to be surgically removed.
Your care team also may include a breast surgeon, radiation oncologist, radiologist, pathologist and a plastic and reconstructive surgeon with advanced training in helping patients restore function and appearance. Fertility preservation and genetic testing are also available for qualifying patients who need them. Our pathologists and oncologists are experienced and trained in tools designed to diagnose, stage and treat different types of breast cancer, from early-stage ductal carcinoma in situ to complex diseases such as triple-negative and inflammatory breast cancer.
As part of our patient-centered care model, which is designed to help you keep strong during treatment, your multidisciplinary care team may recommend various evidence-informed supportive therapies , such as naturopathic support , psychosocial support , nutritional support , physical and occupational therapy and pain management. Make a difference in the fight against cancer by donating to cancer research.
Call us anytime. What are the signs and symptoms of breast cancer? This page was updated on November 9, A visual guide to early signs and symptoms of breast cancer.
Early warning signs of breast cancer The most common sign of breast cancer that you may notice is a painless lump in your breast, potentially indicating a tumor. Non-invasive breast cancer symptoms Non-invasive breast cancer is sometimes called stage 0 cancer. Lobular carcinoma symptoms Lobular carcinoma in situ LCIS does not cause symptoms and cannot be seen with a mammogram. Invasive breast cancer symptoms Most breast cancers start in the ducts, or the tubes that carry milk to the nipple, or in the lobules, the little clusters of sacs where breast milk is made.
Invasive breast cancer symptoms may include: A lump or mass in the breast Swelling of all or part of the breast, even if no lump is felt Skin irritation or dimpling Breast or nipple pain Nipple retraction turning inward The nipple or breast skin appears red, scaly, or thickened Nipple discharge A lump or swelling in the underarm lymph nodes. Inflammatory breast cancer symptoms Unlike other breast cancers, inflammatory breast cancer IBC rarely causes breast lumps and may not appear on a mammogram.
Metastatic breast cancer symptoms Metastatic breast cancer symptoms depend on the part of the body to which the cancer has spread and its stage. If the breast or chest wall is affected, symptoms may include pain, nipple discharge, or a lump or thickening in the breast or underarm.
If the bones are affected, symptoms may include pain, fractures, constipation or decreased alertness due to high calcium levels. If tumors form in the lungs, symptoms may include shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, coughing, chest wall pain or extreme fatigue.
Dense breasts also tend to be more common in younger women or women with a lower body mass index. In addition, breast density tends to decrease as women become older.
The female breast will go through various normal changes over the course of a lifetime. Many of these changes are driven by hormones. They can be related to the menstrual cycle, pregnancy or the normal aging process.
Most breast changes are not cancer, however, if you do notice an unusual breast change, it is important that you speak with your doctor so that it can be checked as soon as possible.
During pregnancy, the breasts go through different changes in preparation for breastfeeding after birth. The areola surrounding the nipple will grow larger and become darker. The lobules milk glands of the breast increase in size and number. They also begin to produce milk so a mother can breastfeed her baby. As women develop from pre-puberty through puberty, pregnancy and to menopause, the breasts will be affected by a variety of fluctuations in hormones. During puberty, hormones produced by the ovaries such as oestrogen cause growth and development of the breast.
This may cause women to have swollen or tender breasts at different times of the month. During pregnancy the body will produce additional oestrogen and progesterone, which trigger further growth and development of the breast to prepare mothers for breastfeeding.
Around the time of menopause perimenopause , the ovaries stop producing female hormones including oestrogen. Without oestrogen, the breast tissue decreases in size. After menopause post-menopause , monthly menstrual periods stop.
To understand how cancer can originate, it can be helpful to understand how regular cells and tissues function and develop. Healthy cells are the basic building blocks of all tissues and organs in the body. The body is constantly making new cells to replace worn out tissue or to heal injuries. Normal cells are programmed to grow and divide in an orderly and controlled manner, so that each new cell replaces ones that are lost. Sometimes cells become abnormal and keep growing.
As they grow, they can form a mass or lump called a tumour. However, not all tumours are cancer. Some tumours are benign noncancerous , which means they tend to grow slowly and usually do not invade surrounding tissue or other parts of the body. Tumours that are malignant cancerous have the potential to invade and spread to other parts of the body. Breast cancer starts when cells in the breast such as cells lining the ducts and lobules begin to grow abnormally. These cells have the potential to grow out of control and invade the surrounding tissue.
When this occurs, this is called invasive breast cancer. If the cancer cells continue to grow, they may spread beyond the breast to other parts of body, which could become life-threatening. There are different types of breast conditions which are named after the areas of the breast where they start:. A small number of cancers also begin in other tissues in the breast, such as sarcomas cancer of the soft tissue and lymphomas cancer of the lymphatic system , although these are not considered breast cancers.
Breast cancer can invade through nearby tissue, or spread through the body via the lymphatic system and blood. The first place that breast cancer commonly spreads to outside the breast are the lymph nodes in the armpit axillary nodes. Surgery is usually needed to remove one or more lymph nodes to help check for breast cancer spread. This exposure could involve starting periods at an early age or entering menopause late. Between these times, estrogen levels in the body are higher.
Breastfeeding, especially for over 1 year , appears to reduce the risk of developing breast cancer. This may be due to the drop in estrogen exposure that follows pregnancy and breastfeeding. Obesity after menopause may contribute to a greater likelihood of developing breast cancer, possibly due to increased estrogen levels. High sugar intake may also be a factor. According to the National Cancer Institute NCI , studies have consistently found that women who consume alcohol have a higher risk of breast cancer than women who do not.
And those who drink moderate to heavy levels have a greater risk than women who drink less. Undergoing radiation treatment for a different cancer may increase the risk of developing breast cancer later in life. Studies have shown that oral contraceptives may slightly increase the risk of breast cancer, the NCI reports. And according to the ACS , studies have found that hormone replacement therapy , specifically estrogen-progesterone therapy, is related to an increased risk of breast cancer.
Other research has found that African American women are more likely to die of breast cancer than any other group. The reasons for this are likely biological and socioeconomic.
For example, according to a study , Black women may be more susceptible to developing aggressive breast tumors. Other research points out that factors such as low socioeconomic status also contribute to cancer racial disparities. Having this status makes it difficult for people from marginalized groups to access quality health insurance, which in the U. A study on the association of insurance status and the detection of early stage breast cancer showed how difficulty accessing healthcare may be part of the reason why people from marginalized groups often receive breast cancer diagnoses at a late stage, when survival, even with treatment, is less likely.
The general agreement, based on research , is that silicone breast implants do not increase the risk of breast cancer. A meta-analysis of 17 studies that included participants who had undergone cosmetic breast augmentation discovered no increase in the risk of breast cancer associated with the procedure.
In fact, the research showed that the incidence among these participants was lower than expected. In , another study found that women with cosmetic implants have significantly lower rates of breast cancer than those who do not have them.
Meanwhile, a meta-analysis found that women who received a diagnosis of breast cancer after getting cosmetic breast implants may have a higher risk of dying from the disease. However, this research did not factor in other variables that may influence breast cancer mortality, such as body mass index , age at diagnosis, or cancer stage at diagnosis.
And at least one of the studies in the analysis looked at overall mortality, instead of breast cancer-specific mortality, thereby potentially skewing the results. As such, a person should consider the finding with caution. There are several types of breast cancer.
The most common type is ductal carcinoma, which begins in a milk duct. Another type is lobular carcinoma, which begins in a lobule, one of the tiny glands that produce milk.
It is then more likely that the cancer will spread to other parts of the body. These cells may eventually become invasive. A doctor often diagnoses breast cancer as a result of routine screening or when a person reports symptoms. Below, we describe tests and procedures that can help the doctor make and confirm the diagnosis. This involves checking the breasts for lumps and other possible indications of cancer.
During the examination, the person may need to sit or stand with their arms in different positions, such as above their head or by their sides. Mammogram: This is a type of X-ray that doctors commonly use during initial breast cancer screening. It produces images that can show lumps or abnormalities. If there is any sign of a potential problem, the doctor usually conducts further testing. Ultrasound: This scan uses sound waves to help a doctor differentiate between a solid mass and a fluid-filled cyst.
MRI: This combines different images of the breast to help a doctor identify cancer or other abnormalities. A doctor may recommend an MRI as a follow-up to a mammogram or ultrasound.
Doctors may also use MRIs to screen people with a higher risk of breast cancer. Here, learn more about how to prepare for a mammogram. This involves extracting a sample of tissue and sending it to a laboratory for analysis. The results show whether the cells are cancerous, and if they are, which type of cancer has developed. The results can even show whether the cancer is hormone-sensitive.
The main treatment options include :. Types of surgery include :. Lumpectomy: This involves removing the tumor and a small amount of healthy tissue around it.
A lumpectomy can help prevent the spread of cancer. This may be an option if the tumor is small and easy to separate from surrounding tissue. In some types, a surgeon also removes the lymph nodes and muscle in the chest wall. Here, learn about the different types of mastectomy. Sentinel node biopsy: If breast cancer reaches the sentinel lymph nodes, the first nodes to which it can spread, it can travel to other parts of the body through the lymphatic system.
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