Early breast cancer usually does not cause symptoms. This is why regular breast exams are important. As the cancer grows, symptoms may include: Men get breast cancer, too. Symptoms include breast lump and breast pain and tenderness. Symptoms of advanced breast cancer may include:
The doctor will ask you about your symptoms and risk factors, and then perform a physical exam, which includes both breasts, armpits, and the neck and chest area. Additional tests may include: If your doctor learns that you do have breast cancer, additional tests will be done to see if the cancer has spread. This is called staging. Staging helps guide future treatment and follow-up and gives you some idea of what to expect in the future. Breast cancer stages range from 0 to IV. In general, breast cancer that stays where it has started is called in situ or noninvasive breast cancer. If it spreads, it is called invasive breast cancer. The higher the number, the more advanced the cancer.
|
|
Reviewer Info: Rita Nanda, M.D., Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology/Oncology, University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL. Review provided byVeriMed Healthcare Network.; ADAM Health Illustrated Encyclopedia, 04/03/2007 |