What skin changes may occur in breast cancer patients

In the early stages of breast cancer or when the tumor is deep inside the breast, there is no obvious abnormality on the surface of the breast. However, if the tumor is located in the shallow layer of the gland close to the skin, or when the cancer develops to the late stage, it can cause corresponding skin changes.

Dimple sign: When the cancer invades the ligament connecting the gland and the skin, it will cause it to lose elasticity and shorten, causing the breast skin to sink inward and present a "dimple sign". In severe cases, it will manifest as a larger area of ​​skin depression.

Orange peel-like changes: When the subcutaneous lymphatic vessels are invaded by cancer cells or blocked by cancer thrombi, it can cause lymphatic reflux obstruction and lead to skin edema, enlarged hair follicle pores, and invaginated hair follicles in the corresponding area, resulting in "orange peel-like changes".

Skin satellite nodules: When breast cancer develops to the late stage, the cancer cells that enter the lymphatic vessels will spread along the subcutaneous lymphatic vessels, thus forming multiple scattered metastatic nodules in the skin around the main cancer focus. Most of them are red in color and are clinically called "satellite foci."

Cauliflower sign: In the late stage of breast cancer, the tumor invades the skin and may appear red or dark red; as the tumor continues to grow, the cancerous foci may ulcerate and change into cauliflower-like changes, often accompanied by bleeding from the wound surface or even necrotic infection, and the ulcer often has a foul odor, which is called the "cauliflower sign."

Inflammatory changes: If it is inflammatory breast cancer, the cancer thrombus in the subcutaneous lymphatic vessels will cause skin edema and large areas of the affected breast skin will become red, similar to inflammation, but there will be no systemic reactions such as fever, pain, etc.

Superficial varicose veins: Some tumors grow fast and increase in size rapidly, which can compress the epidermis and cause it to become thinner, resulting in superficial varicose veins.