Lumps in the breasts
Symptoms
Symptoms depend on the underlying cause of the lump. Signs of a potentially cancerous breast lump may include:
- A painless lump that is firm or hard, with irregular borders (edges)
- Armpit lump
- Arm swelling
- Bone pain
- Difference in breast size, compared with what it previously looked like
- Nipple changes, including pulling inward, swelling, or itching
- Nipple discharge -- usually bloody or straw-colored fluid
- Skin changes such as dimpling or "orange peel" appearance, redness, easy to see veins on breast surface, and eventually skin ulceration
- Weight loss
Exams and Tests
The doctor will perform a breast exam to feel for lumps. Tests that may be used to determine if a lump is cancer may include:
- Breast biopsy
- Breast ultrasound
- Mammogram
- Needle aspiration
References
Saslow D, Hannan J, Osuch J, et al. Clinical breast examination: practical recommendations for optimizing performance and reporting. CA Cancer J Clin. 2004; 54:327-344.
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