Many people may consider the typical breast cancer symptom to be a lump in the breast, detected during a breast self-examination, clinical breast exam or mammogram. Although a distinct breast lump can indicate the presence of some forms of breast cancer, such as invasive ductal carcinoma, many forms of cancer lead to a range of symptoms. As a result, breast cancer patients can experience a number of atypical breast cancer symptoms, even in the absence of a breast lump.
Breast Thickness
Some forms of cancer lead to a palpable thickness of breast tissue, instead of a breast lump. Such is the case for invasive lobular carcinoma, a type of breast cancer that occurs in around 10 percent of breast cancer patients, according to CancerHelp UK. This form of cancer develops within the breast lobules, the bulb-like cellular structures that make and secrete milk. Cancerous growth in invasive lobular carcinoma leads to enlargement of lobules deep within the breast tissue. As a result, patients with this form of cancer typically notice a slight enlargement of the tissue in one part of the breast, as opposed to a lump with distinct edges. An invasive lobular carcinoma can be diagnosed with a mammogram and breast biopsy, and treated with surgery, hormone treatments, radiation and chemotherapy.
Breast Swelling
In some cases, breast cancer can lead to a swelling of the entire breast instead of a distinct breast lump. This swelling can occur if the cancer stimulates the immune system and recruits immune system cells, leading to inflammation within the breast. Inflammatory breast cancer, a rare form of breast cancer, commonly causes breast swelling. During inflammatory breast cancer development, cancer cells block the lymph vessels in the breast, obstructing the flow of lymphatic fluid. As the cancer progresses, fluid continues to build up in the breast, causing swelling. The cancer also triggers activation of immune cells, leading to further swelling and irritation. These atypical cancer symptoms commonly develop quickly, in as little as weeks, according to the National Cancer Institute. In many cases, patients with this aggressive form of cancer do not develop the typical symptom of a breast cancer lump.
Skin Abnormalities
Another atypical breast cancer symptom is dimpling and flaking of the skin and nipple overlying the affected breast. A dimpling of the skin during cancer development is called "peau d'orange," meaning orange skin. This dimpling can indicate abnormalities in the tissue underneath the skin, leading to strain on the connective tissue that normally supports the texture of the skin and structure of the breast. Skin dimpling can be detected during a breast self-examination by raising the arm and slightly stretching the breast skin in front of a mirror. Patients may also notice a scaling or irritation of the skin. This symptom is common in Paget's disease of the nipple, a form of cancer that does not always cause the typical breast lump. Patients with Paget's disease commonly experience severe scaling of the skin around the nipple that develops due to the growth of cancerous Paget cells within the nipple, reports the National Cancer Society. Any changes in the skin or nipple are a cause for concern and should be discussed with a physician to rule out the possibility of breast cancer.
