Breast Cancer Recurrence Symptoms

Breast cancer recurrence symptoms may take one unawares. Having survived the big C people want to move on and figure that lightning will not strike in the same place twice. The facts are that as many as ten to twenty percents of breast cancer patients will develop cancer recurrence symptoms within the first one to five years after the initial treatment of breast cancer.

Local breast cancer recurrence symptoms reappear in the same area as the original, or “primary,” tumor. This could be in the remaining breast in patients who’ve had a lumpectomy, or it may be in the chest wall or skin in women who’ve had a mastectomy. Signs and symptoms of local recurrence within the same breast may include:

” A new lump in your breast or irregular area of firmness
” A new thickening in the breast area
” A new pulling back of the skin or dimpling at the lumpectomy site
” Skin inflammation or area of redness
” Flattening or indentation of the nipple or other nipple changes

Signs and symptoms of local breast cancer recurrence symptoms on the chest wall after a mastectomy may include:

” One or more painless nodules on or under the skin of the chest wall
” A new area of thickening along or near the mastectomy scar

Regional breast cancer recurrence symptoms mean the cancer has come back in the lymph nodes in your armpit or collarbone area. Signs and symptoms of regional recurrence may include:

” A lump or swelling in the lymph nodes under your arm or in the groove above your collarbone
” Swelling of your arm
” Persistent pain in your arm and shoulder
” Increasing loss of sensation in your arm and hand

Furthermore, Distant or metastatic breast cancer recurrence symptoms mean that cancer has traveled to distant parts of the body. This most commonly occurs in the bones, liver and lungs.

The signs and symptoms may include:

” Pain, such as chest or bone pain
” Persistent, dry cough
” Difficulty breathing
” Loss of appetite
” Persistent nausea, vomiting or weight loss
” Severe headaches
” Fever
” Chills

After treatment for breast cancer, continue to see the doctor for scheduled follow-up exams. Your doctor will check for any signs of breast cancer recurrence symptoms. You’ll also need an annual mammogram if you had a lumpectomy. Still, many women and men discover recurrent on their own. You know your body best – what feels normal and what doesn’t. Check your breasts or chest wall after mastectomy every month to look for changes.

It’s important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of recurrent breast cancer, such as:

” New pain
” Changes or new lumps in the breast/s or surgical scar or chest wall
” Weight loss
” Shortness of breath
If breast cancer recurrence symptoms are present see your doctor immediately.