Invasive breast cancer is the stage of breast cancer where the cancerous cells have entered the milk lobules of the breast, and are starting to affect the cells around them. Further testing would be needed to determine if the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes, and what kind of treatment would be effective at that point.
Lump
The most common symptom of invasive breast cancer is a lump that can be found anywhere on the breast, or nearby in the underarm area. An early symptom lump may only be able to be found by a mammogram, or by touch. The skin of a breast cancer lump feels harder and tighter than the surrounding skin. Over time, a series of lumps may appear on the breast that give the skin a look similar to the skin of a grapefruit.
Redness
The skin around the nipple may start to become red, and it may even become warm to the touch. The redness could escalate to the point where it becomes uncomfortable and itchy. Small bumps may begin to appear, and the skin may start to swell or even become scaly. The nipple may also turn inward to the breast, which is also a common symptom of breast cancer.
Discharge
The nipple may begin to give off a discharge that could either be clear, or it could contain some color. It may be a yellowish discharge, or it could have a slight red tint to it from the blood that is mixing with it. Some of the discharge may be in the form of pus, which has a thicker consistency than the liquid discharge that the person may experience.
Breast Appearance
One of the symptoms of invasive breast cancer is that the nipple and areola may change in shape and appearance. They may become larger or smaller, and they may also appear to take on more of an oval shape. The breast itself may also appear to be larger, and this may become noticeable when comparing the size of the affected breast to the unaffected breast. If both breasts are affected, then they may grow at different paces.
Warning
The Mayo Clinic warns that any woman who finds a lump on her breast when doing a self-examination, even if a recent mammogram revealed no problems, should get checked out by her doctor immediately. It is important to do self-examinations at least once a month, and report any irregularities to your doctor immediately.
Tags: breast cancer, also appear, breast cancer, breast cancer lump, cancer lump
