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.

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Written by Lin Yang
Breast Surgery
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What are the symptoms of breast cancer in the nipple?

Breast cancer typically results in bloody nipple discharge. If the condition progresses, it can cause the breast to shrink, harden, and the nipple to elevate. Due to the pulling of the milk ducts, the nipple may flatten, retract, or even become inverted. Over several months, there may also be significant enlargement, causing the affected breast's volume to increase and protrude. Breast cancer can invade the chest muscle fascia and muscles, causing the tumor to fix to the chest wall and become difficult to move. Cancer cells block the subcutaneous lymphatic vessels, leading to lymphatic retention and resulting in dermal edema. The skin will then exhibit an orange peel-like texture.

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Written by Lin Yang
Breast Surgery
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Can being angry cause breast cancer?

Frequent anger in women is associated with a higher risk of breast cancer. The causes of breast cancer are not yet fully elucidated, but recent research suggests that its development may be related to various factors. These include familial factors, reproductive factors, levels of sex hormones, and relevant genes. Frequent anger in patients can cause instability in the body's hormones, leading to exacerbated breast hyperplasia. Increased breast hyperplasia can then lead to the formation of small nodules in the breast. Due to the stimulation of estrogen in the body, these breast nodules are more likely to become cancerous. Therefore, it is important to maintain a cheerful mood, minimize anger, and eat more foods containing vitamins, as Vitamin A plays a role in protecting breast cells.

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Written by Zhang Chao Jie
Breast Surgery
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Breast cancer IIA is stage 2.

Breast cancer stage IIa is considered early stage. Breast cancer is classified into stages 0, I, IIa, IIb, III, and IV. Stage III is further divided into IIIa, IIIb, and IIIc. Strictly speaking, breast cancers at stage IIa and earlier are considered early-stage breast cancer, while stage III is considered locally advanced breast cancer, including IIIa, IIIb, and IIIc, and stage IV is considered advanced breast cancer. However, since most operable breast cancers, which include up to stage IIIa (stages 0, I, II, and including IIIa), generally have favorable treatment outcomes, many research institutions and medical organizations in Western countries define all stages up to IIIa as early-stage breast cancer. Therefore, breast cancer stage IIa is classified as early-stage cancer.

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Written by Lin Yang
Breast Surgery
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early symptoms of breast cancer

Breast cancer, in the majority of cases, manifests as a painless lump, often accidentally discovered by the patient without any adverse discomfort. During self-examinations or routine screenings, a few patients might detect them. These lumps are commonly found in the upper outer quadrant, typically appearing as a single lesion on one side, with no obvious abnormalities on the skin. Dimpling, an orange-peel-like texture, the appearance of satellite nodules in later stages, nipple retraction, bloody discharge, and eczema-like changes can be observed. There is also swelling of regional lymph nodes.

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Written by Lin Yang
Breast Surgery
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Where does breast cancer usually hurt?

Breast cancer generally is painless, early stages present as a painless, solitary, small lump that is hard and has an uneven surface, with unclear boundaries with the surrounding tissue and is difficult to move within the breast. It is usually discovered accidentally by the patient or while bathing. As breast cancer continues to grow, it invades the Cooper's ligaments, causing contraction, hence the skin over the lump often appears puckered, a sign commonly referred to as dimpling, indicative of early-stage breast cancer. As the cancer progresses, it often causes the breast to shrink and harden, elevates the nipple, and may involve the milk ducts, leading to nipple retraction or indentation. It can also significantly increase in size within months, causing the affected breast to become larger and protrude. Breast cancer, invading the chest muscles and fascia, may fix the lump to the chest wall, making it difficult to move.