Changes in breast appearance in breast cancer patients

The incidence of breast cancer accounts for 7-10% of all malignant tumors in the body, which brings great trouble to women's lives. After suffering from breast cancer, the patient's nipples, breast skin, and breast contours will change, seriously affecting the appearance of the breasts.

1. Nipple discharge: Some breast cancer patients may experience nipple discharge. In non-pregnant women, unilateral or bilateral nipples may secrete colorless, milky white, brown or bloody liquid. The amount may be more or less and may be watery, serous or bloody. Women over 50 years old who experience unilateral nipple discharge should be alert to the possibility of breast cancer.

2. Nipple changes: A lump under or near the nipple can cause the nipple to become sunken or elevated, or to lean to one side, resulting in the nipples on both sides not being on the same level.

3. Breast skin changes: When the tumor invades the Cooper ligaments of the skin, it may form the "dimple sign"; tumor cells block the subcutaneous lymphatic capillaries, causing skin edema, and the hair follicles to become sunken, forming the "orange peel sign"; when the skin is extensively invaded, a large number of hard nodules or small cords may form on the epidermis, and may even fuse into pieces. If the lesions extend to the back and the opposite chest wall, they may restrict breathing and form armor-like cancer; in advanced breast cancer, skin breaks down and cancerous ulcers may form.

4. Changes in breast contour: Inflammatory breast cancer will cause the breasts to become significantly enlarged, the skin to become red and swollen, and the local skin temperature to increase.

Knowledge expansion--Paget's disease of the breast

Paget's disease of the breast is a rare skin cancer that originates from the intradermal or subcutaneous glands, often from mammary duct carcinoma. The nipple develops eczematous changes such as itching, desquamation, erosion, ulceration, and crusting.