Breast Cancer Symptoms & Diagnosis

Symptoms

When breast cancer first develops, there may be no symptoms at all. But as the cancer grows, it can cause the following changes:

A lump or thickening in or near the breast or in the underarm area or in the neck
A change in the size or shape of the breast
Nipple discharge or tenderness, or the nipple pulled back (inverted) into the breast
Ridges or pitting of the breast skin (like the skin of an orange)
A change in the way the skin of the breast, areola, or nipple looks or feels (for example, warm, swollen, red, or scaly)

Tumor in Breast

Note: These symptoms may also be caused by other, less serious health conditions. Anyone experiencing these should see a doctor.

Diagnosis

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done.

Tests may include:

Clinical breast exam—the size and texture of the lump is manually examined to determines whether the lump moves easily
Mammography —x-rays of the breast used to see lumps or other changes in breast tissue
Ultrasonography—the use of high-frequency sound waves to see whether a lump is a fluid-filled cyst or a solid mass
Biopsy —removal of tumor tissue to be tested for cancer cells, types of biopsies for breast cancer include:
- Fine-needle aspiration—removal of fluid and/or cells from a breast lump using a thin needle
- Needle biopsy —removal of tissue with a needle from an area that looks suspicious on a mammogram but cannot be felt
- Surgical biopsy:
  - Incisional biopsy—cutting out a sample of a lump or suspicious area
  - Excisional biopsy—cutting out all of a lump or suspicious area and an area of healthy tissue around the edges
Tissue evaluation—breast cancer tissue is tested for the presence of estrogen and progesterone receptors, as well as the presence of HER2/neu; these are used to help plan therapy
Genetic testing—blood is evaluated for the presence of specific gene mutations in certain patients

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Copyright © 2026 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.