Symptoms of breast cancer recurrence

Written by Zhang Chao Jie
Breast Surgery
Updated on April 30, 2025
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The symptoms of recurrent breast cancer are related to the location and form of recurrence. For example, if breast cancer recurs at the chest wound site, the symptoms typically manifest as local lumps or localized ulcers, erosion, and bleeding. If the recurrence is in the lungs, liver, or brain, it usually appears in the form of tumors. Early lung tumors do not show symptoms, but if it invades the pleura and causes pleural effusion, it can lead to shortness of breath or chest pain. If a tumor grows too large on the liver, it can cause abdominal pain or symptoms like loss of appetite, unwillingness to eat, and other complications associated with liver diseases. If it metastasizes to the head, symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, and a feeling of pressure in the eyes may occur. If it spreads to the bones, it can cause pain in the affected bone or fractures.

Other Voices

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Written by Fan Hong Qiao
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What is invasive breast cancer?

Invasive breast cancer is the most common tumor in women, accounting for 22% of all malignant tumors in females. Invasive breast cancer refers to a malignant tumor where cancer cells have broken through the basement membrane of the breast ducts or lobular alveoli and invaded the interstitium. The vast majority of invasive breast cancers are adenocarcinomas, originating from the epithelial cells of the breast parenchyma, especially from the terminal duct lobular units. Its characteristics include the tumor's infiltration into adjacent tissues and a marked tendency for distant metastasis.

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Written by Peng Li Bo
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Male breast cancer generally occurs at what age?

The general age of onset for male breast cancer is between 65 and 67 years old, which is about five to ten years later than the onset age for female breast cancer. Male breast cancer is a relatively rare malignancy, accounting for only 0.6% to 1% of all breast cancer cases, meaning that out of 100 breast cancer patients, approximately one is male. The development of male breast cancer is caused by multiple factors, which may include genetic factors, environmental influences, and also related to levels of hormone secretion from the endocrine system.

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Written by Lin Yang
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Breast Cancer Screening Methods

Breast cancer screening methods start with manual palpation to check for lumps. Second, mammography is used, which is the most effective method for early diagnosis of breast cancer with a sensitivity of 80%-90%. Additionally, breast ultrasound and B-ultrasound examinations can be performed, which are simple, safe, and non-invasive. Another available method is breast MRI, which provides more accurate differentiation between benign and malignant tumors. Lastly, a biopsy using a hollow needle can also be done.

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Written by Zhang Chao Jie
Breast Surgery
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How is breast cancer treated?

The treatment of adenocarcinoma is a systematically planned treatment, involving five major types of treatments in the field of Western medicine. The first is surgical treatment, the second is chemotherapy, the third is endocrine therapy, the fourth is biological targeted therapy, often referred to as targeted therapy, and the fifth is radiation therapy, commonly known as radiotherapy. These are the five major treatments in Western medicine. However, not every patient with breast disease will need all five treatments; it depends on their specific conditions. Additionally, there are treatments from Chinese medicine, which primarily serve as supportive care. Of course, there is also psychological support therapy from a psychological perspective, which is part of this so-called systematic treatment.

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Written by Yan Chun
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Symptoms of male breast cancer

The clinical symptoms of male breast cancer are generally similar to those of females, mainly presenting as painless, progressive enlargement of breast lumps. These breast lumps usually occur under the areola, and some patients may experience nipple inversion or abnormal nipple discharge. Many breast lumps tend to have unclear boundaries with surrounding tissues and often adhere to the skin or chest muscles. Many patients with male breast cancer experience metastasis to the axillary lymph nodes, causing the metastatic lymph nodes to enlarge and become painful, local lymphatic drainage obstruction, and causing local upper limb swelling and pain. Moreover, some male breast cancer cases have metastasized to the lungs, presenting clinically with symptoms such as coughing and chest pain related to the respiratory system. Some patients with male breast cancer have liver metastasis, clinically presenting with pain in the liver area, decreased appetite, and abnormal coagulation functions.