What Are Breast Cancer Symptoms Other Than a Palpable Lump?

A palpable breast lump is the most common breast cancer symptom. However, in women and men, breast cancer can also cause symptoms other than a palpable lump.

In some people, breast cancer causes no symptoms or complaints but may be detected by breast cancer screening such as mammography.

This article shares other breast cancer signs and symptoms that can appear without a noticeable breast lump or mass.

These signs and symptoms can also have noncancerous causes. However, people with these symptoms should see a doctor for the necessary tests to check for both noncancerous and cancerous conditions.

1. Changes in skin texture

Skin changes can be an early sign of breast cancer.

Breast cancer can cause changes and inflammation in skin cells that lead to texture changes. Examples include:

• changes in the areola (nipple) skin, such as scaling
• skin thickening anywhere on the breast

Much more rarely, itching may also be associated with breast cancer.

These skin changes may be a symptom of a rare breast cancer type called Paget disease.

Texture changes may also result from benign skin conditions, including dermatitis and eczema.

2. Nipple discharge

A person may have nipple discharge outside breastfeeding; it can be small or large in amount and clear, milky, yellow, green or red.

Milky nipple discharge is normal in people who are breastfeeding, but someone with another type of nipple discharge is advised to see a doctor.

Although most abnormal nipple discharge has noncancerous causes such as infection, it may indicate breast cancer in some people.

Other possible causes of breast discharge include:

• breast infections
• an adverse effect of birth control pills
• an adverse effect of certain medications
• changes in body physiology
• certain medical conditions such as thyroid disease

3. Dimpling

Skin dimpling can sometimes indicate inflammatory breast cancer, an aggressive type of breast cancer. Cancer cells may cause lymph fluid to accumulate in the breast and cause dimpling or dimpled skin. Anyone who notices skin dimpling must speak to a doctor.

4. Lymph node changes

Cancer cells may travel to underarm lymph nodes and cause swelling.

Lymph nodes are small, oval collections of immune tissue that filter fluid and trap potentially harmful cells. They can swell in response to bacteria, viruses and cancer cells.

If a cancer cell leaves the breast, its first destination is the underarm lymph node area on the same side as the affected breast. This can cause swelling in that area.

Besides swollen underarm lymph nodes, a person may notice them around the collarbone. They generally feel like small, hard, swollen lumps or masses.

However, lymph node changes can also result from breast infections or other entirely unrelated illnesses.

A person should discuss these changes with a doctor so that a possible cause can be identified.

5. Breast or nipple pain

Breast cancer can cause changes leading to pain, tenderness and discomfort. Although breast cancer is usually painless, any sign or complaint potentially caused by it should not be ignored.

Some people may describe the pain as a burning sensation.

6. Breast retraction or structural change

Breast cancer can cause the breast skin to pull inward, particularly when it develops close to the skin; even a large mass deep in the breast tissue can cause structural breast changes.

Nipple appearance can often change during ovulation or different phases of the menstrual cycle, but people should see a doctor about any new nipple change.

7. Redness

Breast cancer can change skin color. The skin may become red, purple or bluish.

If a person has not experienced breast trauma explaining these changes, they should see a doctor. Even if trauma occurred, medical attention should be considered if the breast discoloration does not disappear.

8. Swelling

Breast cancer may cause swelling of all or part of the breast. There may be no obvious lump after this swelling, but the breast may differ from the other breast.

Most people have breasts of different sizes; nevertheless, a change larger than the normal difference in breast size should not be ignored.

The skin may feel tight because of swelling.

When should you see a doctor?

What matters is reporting any breast change to your doctor.

People should not panic or become frightened when they notice breast changes. Aging, changes in hormone levels and other factors can cause breast tissue changes throughout a person's life.

However, people should be aware of their health and see a doctor to determine the cause of any breast complaint.

Each of the eight changes listed above warrants seeing a doctor, particularly if it does not appear related to any of the following:

• menstrual cycle
• breast trauma
• breast infection

Your doctor can evaluate complaints, examine the affected breast or both breasts, and recommend further tests if necessary. They may suggest a mammogram, ultrasound, other imaging tests or blood tests to rule out infection or other possible causes.

- Related topic: At What Age Should Mammography Begin, and How Often Should It Be Performed?

Conclusion

The most common breast cancer symptom is a palpable lump; however, breast cancer can also cause signs and symptoms including skin changes on the nipple and other parts of the breast. Many conditions (such as cysts, infection, eczema and dermatitis) can potentially cause breast changes. Seeing a doctor about new and noticeable changes can help determine whether any breast change is concerning.