A Lump In Your Breast
A lump or mass in the breast is the most common symptom of breast cancer. Lumps are often hard and painless, although some are painful. However, not all lumps are cancer. Benign breast conditions that can also cause lumps.
Still, its important to have your doctor check out any new lump or mass right away. If it does turn out to be cancer, the sooner its diagnosed the better.
Management Of Ductal Carcinoma
Two types of breast canceraffect the ducts, known as ductal carcinoma in situ and invasive ductal carcinoma. Both types are similar, but ductal carcinoma in situ is non-invasive and confined to its original site, while invasive ductal carcinoma is not limited to the ducts. In most cases, a woman with DCIS can choose between breast-conserving surgery and simple mastectomy. BCS is usually followed by radiation therapy. Lymph node removal is not always needed. It may be done if the doctor thinks the area of DCIS may also contain invasive cancer. The risk of an area of DCIS containing invasive cancer goes up with tumor size and nuclear grade, according to the American Cancer Society.
In the case of invasive ductal carcinoma, patients may need surgery to remove the breast tumor and observe if the disease has reached the lymph nodes. There are two main types of surgery for breast cancer, mastectomy being the most aggressive and breast-conserving surgery the least. Radiation therapy is also an option, since the high-energy rays can reach the breast, chest area, under the arm, and/or the collarbone area, which can be particularly helpful in patients whose cancer has spread. This type of treatment may be administered as external beam radiation, internal partial-breast irradiation, or external partial-breast irradiation.
Treatment Related Impairments In Arm And Shoulder In Patients With Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review
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* E-mail:
Affiliations Radboud university medical center, Department of Orthopedics, Section of Physical Therapy, Nijmegen, The Netherlands, Radboud university medical center, Scientific Institute for Quality of Healthcare, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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Affiliation Radboud university medical center, Department of Orthopedics, Section of Physical Therapy, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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Affiliation Radboud university medical center, Scientific Institute for Quality of Healthcare, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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Affiliation Academic Medical Center, Department of Medical Oncology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Affiliation Radboud university medical center, Scientific Institute for Quality of Healthcare, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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Medical Determinants Of Asp
In our study, a higher breast cancer stage at diagnosis was the most important determinant of self-reporting an ASP. In contrast to HICs where most women have an early stage diagnosis, late stage diagnosis for breast cancer is common in SSA due to low breast cancer awareness among both women and healthcare professionals, and long delays to presentation of symptomatic women to a healthcare provider, final diagnosis and treatment initiation, with disadvantaged populations being particularly affected . In our cohort, three quarters of women had a late stage breast cancer at diagnosis, with nearly half having a tumour size over five centimetres and about two thirds positive lymph nodes at diagnosis. It is plausible that, the larger tumours, and the increased number of affected lymph nodes in women with an advanced breast cancer, may have favoured ASP development, including prior to receiving treatment .
Questions To Ask Your Health Care Provider About Your Pain
- What can be done to relieve my pain?
- What can we do if the pain medications dont work?
- What are the side effects of the pain medications? What can be done to prevent or manage these side effects?
- What side effects should I report to you?
- What other options do I have for pain control?
*Please note, the information provided within Komen Perspectives articles is current as of the date of posting. Therefore, some information may be out of date.
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Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy
In a sentinel lymph node biopsy , the surgeon finds and removes the first lymph node to which acancer is likely to spread . A radioactive substance and/or a blue dye is injected into the tumor, the area around it, or the area around the nipple. Lymph vessels will carry these substances along the same path that the cancer would likely take. The first lymph node the dye or radioactive substance travels to will be the sentinel node.
After the substance has been injected, the sentinel node can be found either by using a special machine to detect radioactivity in the nodes, or by looking for nodes that have turned blue. Sometimes, both methods are used. The surgeon cuts the skin over the lymph node area and removes the node containing the dye or radioactivity.
The few removed lymph nodes are then checked closely in the lab for cancer cells by a pathologist. Sometimes, this is done during the surgery. Because there is a chance that other lymph nodes in the same area will also have cancer if cancer is found in the sentinel lymph node, the surgeon may go ahead with an axillary dissection to remove more lymph nodes while you are still on the operating table. If no cancer cells are seen in the node at the time of the surgery, or if they are not checked by a pathologist at the time of the surgery, they will be examined more closely over the next several days.
Based on the studies that have looked at this, skipping the ALND may be an option for:
Swelling In Or Around Your Breast Collarbone Or Armpit
Swelling in these areas can occur for many reasons but may indicate cancer. Breast swelling can be caused by certain types of breast cancer. Swelling or lumps around your collarbone or armpits can be caused by breast cancer that has spread to lymph nodes in those areas. The swelling can occur even before you can feel a lump in your breast. If you have swelling, be sure to let your health care team know as soon as possible.
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Other Forms Of Tendonitis In The Arm
In addition to rotator cuff tendonitis discussed above, additional forms of arm tendonitis can arise as side effects of breast cancer treatment. These include tendonitis of the tendons of the elbow , thumb and biceps muscle , and they are typically caused by abnormal use or function of the shoulder.
Lymph Node Surgery For Breast Cancer
If breast cancer spreads, it typically goes first to nearby lymph nodes under the arm. It can also sometimes spread to lymph nodes near the collarbone or near the breastbone . Knowing if the cancer has spread to your lymph nodes helps doctors find the best way to treat your cancer.
If you have been diagnosed with breast cancer, its important to find out how far the cancer has spread. To help find out if the cancer has spread outside the breast, one or more of the lymph nodes under the arm are removed and checked in the lab. This is an important part of staging. If the lymph nodes have cancer cells, there is a higher chance that cancer cells have also spread to other parts of the body. More imaging tests might be done if this is the case.
Lymph node removal can be done in different ways, depending on whether any lymph nodes are enlarged, how big the breast tumor is, and other factors.
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Medication To Get Rid Of Burning Sensation In Breast:
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What Are Muscles Under Your Armpit
The armpit area is one of those areas, and it actually contains three main muscles: the teres major, teres minor and latissimus dorsi. The teres major is right under your shoulder, covering the smaller teres minor muscle the latissimus dorsi extends from your back to your chest, wrapping around the underarm area.
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Medications For Severe Pain From Surgery
For more severe pain, as your surgery wound is healing, your health care provider may prescribe tramadol, tapentadol or opioids .
All of these drugs can cause constipation, so you may need to make some changes in your diet or take medications to promote regular bowel movements. To manage constipation, your health care provider may recommend:
- Eating high-fiber foods
- Drinking plenty of liquids
- Taking a soluble fiber supplement
Other side effects of these drugs include sleepiness and nausea. These usually go away after about a week. If they dont, tell your health care provider. These side effects can be treated.
If you are prescribed opioid medications, your health care provider will carefully monitor the amount prescribed so you dont take too much.
What Does The Arm Pain Feel Like
If your ICBN was damaged during surgery, you may have arm pain that does not go away on its own. This pain can present as pain on the upper inner arm, the shoulder, the chest wall near the breast and armpit, or the upper back. Because a nerve was damaged, this pain is often described as neuropathic or nerve pain. This nerve pain can start shortly after surgery and can last for as long as a few years after surgery. You may have:
- Tingling.
- Shooting/stinging/stabbing pain.
- Numbness or increased sensation in the arm.
If your ICBN has been damaged and it goes untreated, there is a chance you will have long-term problems, such as:
- Weakness in the arm.
- A change or decrease in range of motion of your arm/shoulder.
- Stiffness.
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Why Do I Have Sore Breasts
Mastitis, or inflammation of the breast tissue, is another reason for noticing a sore feeling in the breasts. Other symptoms that characterize this condition are swelling, warmth and redness of the breast. This infection is caused due to certain bacteria, which enter the organ through cracked or broken skin.
Limited Arm And Shoulder Movement
You might also have limited movement in your arm and shoulder after surgery. This is more common after ALND than SLNB. Your doctor may advise exercises to help keep you from having long-lasting problems .
Some women notice a rope-like structure that begins under the arm and can extend down toward the elbow. This is sometimes called axillary web syndrome or lymphatic cording. It is more common after ALND than SLNB. Symptoms may not appear for weeks or even months after surgery. It can cause pain and limit movement of the arm and shoulder. This often goes away without treatment, although some women may find physical therapy helpful.
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What Is The Rotator Cuff
The rotator cuff is the group of muscles and tendons that connects your shoulder blade to your arm bone. It keeps the head of your arm bone in the socket of your shoulder. Because it is a network of muscle and tendons, it is closely connected to the tissues of the breast, including the lymph nodes.
Injury to the rotor cuff can involve inflammation, impingement or tears. This shows itself as reduced range of motion , a deep, dull ache, and can make it difficult to sleep. It usually responds well to ice, physical therapy and time off from heavy duty lifting.
Does Breast Pain Increase Breast Cancer Risk
Though it’s uncommon, there are some painful breast conditions that may raise your risk of developing breast cancer. Both radial scars and multiple or complex fibroadenomas increase your risk of breast cancer Many breast conditions which cause pain pose little to no increased risk of breast cancer. Duct ectasia does not increase the risk of developing breast cancer, and while simple fibroadenomas do not increase the risk of breast cancer, complex fibroadenomas only slightly increase the risk.
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How Might Pain Affect People With Cancer
Any type of pain, not just cancer pain, can affect all parts of a person’s life. Some days it may be better or worse than others.
If you have pain, you might not be able to do your job well or take part in other day-to-day activities. You may have trouble sleeping and eating. You might be irritable with the people you love. Its easy to get frustrated, sad, and even angry when youre in pain. Family and friends dont always understand how youre feeling, and you may feel very alone. This is not unusual, so it’s important to talk about your pain with your health care team so they can help.
If You Experience Pain Along With Any Of The Following Symptoms You Should Contact Your Physician
- Bloody or clear discharge from your nipple
- A new lump with the onset of the pain lump does not go away after your menstrual period
- Persistent, unexplained breast pain
- Signs of a breast infection, including local redness, pus, or fever
- Redness of the skin of the breast that may appear as a rash, with dilated pores, and possibly skin thickening.
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Postsurgery Treatments And Exercises To Try
After surgery, its not uncommon to experience symptoms such as swelling, pain, and stiffness.
If you do experience these symptoms, its best to first seek an evaluation from an orthopedic specialist or a physical therapist. They can teach you how to move and exercise safely.
If you arent injured, you can usually proceed with starting an exercise program. You may not feel up to doing very much, but its important to move when you can.
At this stage, even gentle range-of-motion exercises can help keep you from losing too much mobility and prevent you from developing lymphedema.
Palliative Care Or Pain Specialists
Some health care providers are more experienced at treating pain than others.
Palliative care and pain specialists treat pain from cancer or other causes. They can treat people with early breast cancer as well as those with metastatic breast cancer.
Palliative care specialists help people maintain the best quality of life possible. They have special training in pain management and symptom management.
Palliative care specialists can discuss the benefits versus the burdens of different treatments for your symptoms as well as for medications or other therapies to treat the cancer.
Anesthesia pain experts are anesthesiologists with special training in pain management. They are experts in procedures to relieve pain.
Sometimes a palliative care specialist or an anesthesia pain specialist is part of your treatment team. If not, be sure to ask your oncologist for a referral to a specialist if:
- Your pain is not controlled
- You have side effects from the pain medications
- You would like to discuss more options to manage your pain
Your oncologist can usually follow the specialists recommendations. If the treatment is effective, you wont need to see the specialist again.
For a list of palliative care programs in your area, visit the PalliativeDoctors.org website. You can also call the National Cancer Institutes Cancer Information Service toll-free at 1-800-4-CANCER or the American Cancer Society toll-free at 1-800-ACS-2345 .
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Pain And Tenderness In The Armpit
According to studies, the first place breast cancer spreads to is the axillary lymph nodes .
The axillary lymph nodes indicate breast cancer in the same way the lymph nodes in the neck and throat indicate a flu, making the axillaries an essential place for onset discovery.
The journal of Clinical Oncology reported about the significance of axillary lymph node metastasis in primary breast cancer saying that axillary lymph node status is the single most important prognostic variable in the management of patients with primary breast cancer.7
The American Cancer Society says that sometimes a breast cancer can spread to lymph nodes under the arm or around the collarbone and cause a lump or swelling there, even before the original tumor in the breast tissue is large enough to be felt.1 Therefore any pain or discomfort in the left or right armpit is something that should definitely be tested and you should also be aware of the other causes of armpit pain.
The first thing to do is to compare the painful armpit to the other armpit. If the difference is persistently evident, its worth consulting an expert.
Itchy Breast Redness And Pain
The American Cancer Society mentions that while the most common symptom of breast cancer is a new lump, other possible symptoms include skin irritation and dimpling, as well as redness, scaliness or thickening of the breast skin.1
Its common for breasts to be sore and sensitive during menstruation, but this symptom could mean something more serious if you have sore breasts sensitivity that persists after that period. There may also be swelling involved with skin that is warm to the touch, indicating the less common forms of inflammatory breast cancer.
It is worth noting that it is rare that breast pain or sore breasts after period is a sign of cancer. Doctors from Harvard Medical School say that sore tender breasts are usually not connected with breast cancer.
Cancer Research UK says that itchy breasts can be a sign of inflammatory breast cancer, however this is very rare. With this type of cancer, the area of skin over the tumor can become red, inflamed, painful and itchy.2
Inflammatory cancer may also cause swelling and pain in the chest. The skin may look scaly or have small blue marks similar to hemorrhages, somewhat like cellulite holes on the breast.
Doctors on WebMD say that a reddish, pitted surface like the skin of an orange could be a sign of advanced breast cancer. They also mention a marble-like area under the skin or indentation on the breast, which may indicate a tumor that cannot be seen or felt.3
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