Breast cancer is a cancer of both men and women. But in case of men, it is less common than women. Cancer grows in the cells of the breast and it develops uncontrollably and spreads to other parts of the body. If cancer occurs in cells of breast, one will feel a lump at a self-examination test. In the earlier stage, it is difficult to feel the lump and so in the initial stage no symptoms occur. A mammogram can detect the primary symptoms of breast cancer by detecting lump of the cancer cells and differentiate the malignant tumors from benign breast conditions.

Breast cancer is a metastatic disease as it can spread beyond the original organ. Bone, liver, lung and brain are the more common sites of metastasis and different symptoms occur in this stage.

Symptoms of Breast Cancer:

In a self-examining test, one can feel and see the following symptoms of breast cancer

• Swelling or lump (mass) in the breast

• Swelling in the armpit (lymph nodes)

• Nipple discharge (clear or bloody)

• Pain in the nipple

• Inverted (retracted) nipple

• Scaly or pitted skin on nipple

• Persistent tenderness of the breast

• Unusual breast pain or discomfort

Symptoms Seen On Breast Imaging:

The following symptoms are seen on breast imaging:

• Microcalcifications in tight clusters

• Dense mass with spiky outline

Symptoms of Advanced (Metastatic) Breast Cancer:

Metastatic breast cancer is the most advanced stage of breast cancer. In this stage, the cancer spreads beyond the breast and underarm lymph nodes into other parts of the body. The symptoms occur in this stage are

• Bone pain (bone metastases)

• Shortness of breath (lung metastases)

• Drop in appetite (liver metastases)

• Unintentional weight loss (liver metastases)

• Headaches, neurological pain or weakness (could be brain metastases)

Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC) and its Symptoms:

In inflammatory breast cancer, lump doesn’t appear and in this aggressive breast cancer, the cancer cells grow in sheets instead of lumps, and it gradually invades nearby skin, like a rash.

 A sudden increase in mature breast size

 Continuous Itching in the skin of the breast that is not reduced by pills or creams

 A change in the breast skin color, resulting in pink, red, or dark-colored areas

 Breast is excessively warm to the touch, or harder or firmer than usual

 Unusual pain, which occurs out of the regular cycle

 Sometimes a change in skin texture, similar to the skin of an orange

 Breast skin ulcers

Our medical team will assist one to breast cancer treatments in India at Apollo Hospitals. One will get free consultation with cancer specialists as well no waiting periods under the guidance of our medical team. Besides, one can do medical treatments in India at an affordable price under the umbrella of our medical team.