Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsBreast Cancers Without a LumpAsymptomatic Breast CancerPain in BreastDelayed DiagnosisScreening RecommendationsFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Breast Cancers Without a Lump
Asymptomatic Breast Cancer
Pain in Breast
Delayed Diagnosis
Screening Recommendations
Frequently Asked Questions
It is possible to havebreast cancerwithout a lump. About one in six people with breast cancer do not report having a lump when they’re diagnosed.
Breast cancer without a lump typically shows other symptoms. But it’s also possible to be diagnosed with asymptomatic breast cancer (without a lump or other symptoms) if your cancer is found during a breast cancer screeningmammogram.
Sometypes of breast cancer, includinglobular carcinomaandinflammatory breast cancers, are more likely to appear without a lump than with one.
This article will explain the symptoms to watch out for if you’re worried about having breast cancer without a lump. It will also cover how long you could have breast cancer without knowing it or having symptoms. It will discuss what a delayed diagnosis means for you and what you need to know about screenings for breast cancer.
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Two types of breast cancer are more likely than other types to show up without a lump: lobular carcinoma and inflammatory breast cancer.
Lobular Carcinoma
Breast cancer is when the cells in the breast tissue start growing out of control. They can clump together, form a tumor, and start spreading from where they started.
The most common place for these tumors to start is in the lining of the ducts that carry milk to the nipple. Called ductal carcinomas, these make up 70–80% of breast cancers.They are often found during a mammogram or when a person or their healthcare provider feels a lump in the breast.
The second most common type of breast cancer is lobular carcinoma. Lobular carcinoma makes up about 10% of breast cancers.
Lobular carcinoma starts in the milk glands and behaves differently than ductal carcinoma. It doesn’t form lumps but instead creates thickened breast tissue. This thickening makes the breast feel different but not like a lump.
Inflammatory Breast Cancers
These cancers are called inflammatory because they cause symptoms like redness and swelling. This happens when cancer blocks thelymph vesselsin the skin.These are tube-like structures that carry fluids back to the bloodstream.
Asymptomatic Breast Cancer Without a Lump
As with many cancers, people often won’t know they have breast cancer until they find a lump or start having other symptoms. All cancers begin as asymptomatic, and all tumors start so small they are undetectable.
In many cases of breast cancer, the tumor grows, and the lump grows big enough for regular screening to pick up. Advanced screening technologies like mammograms,ultrasound, ormagnetic resonance imaging (MRI)can find breast cancer before a lump or other symptoms develop.
You can have breast cancer without knowing it for several years, depending on how quickly it starts, grows, and spreads.
Annually, almost 288,000 new breast cancer cases are diagnosed in the United States. More than half of these cancers are found before they spread beyond the breast.More than 50,000 cases are found before they’re officially cancer, at the precancerous stage 0,ductal carcinoma in situ.
In some cases, breast cancer doesn’t form a lump you can feel. You may not know you have cancer until you start having other symptoms and report them to a healthcare provider. According to a 2017 study, about 17% of breast cancer cases are diagnosed without a lump. They may test for other health issues first, delaying your diagnosis.
Visible Breast Changes of Breast Cancer
Only about 83% of people with breast cancer have a lump when they first see a healthcare provider, according to a 2017 paper in the journalCancer Epidemiology. The paper analyzed the symptoms of 2,300 women in the United Kingdom who were diagnosed with breast cancer.
The researchers found that around one in six women (17%) visited a healthcare provider asking about a symptom other than a lump. These symptoms are varied. About 11% were changes to the breast, while 5% were non-breast symptoms. Skin changes are common breast cancer symptoms.
These symptoms are most common:
Non-Breast Breast Cancer Symptoms
Symptoms that show up outside of the breast in people with breast cancer without a lump include:
Many of these are signs of advanced breast cancer that has spread to areas of the chest outside the breast or to organs and tissues farther away. If you have any of these symptoms and think you may have breast cancer, talk to a healthcare provider as soon as possible.
Breast Cancer vs. Pimple Signs: What to Look For
No Lump, But Pain in the Breast
Having a strange pain in your breast can be disconcerting. Pain in the breast with no lump is a health issue calledmastalgia. It is a sign of many different things. These can include:
It can also be a side effect of a new medication. In theCancer Epidemiologystudy, breast pain is a symptom in about 6% of breast cancer cases.
And according to the American Academy of Family Physicians, only about 0.5% of people (one in 200) with breast pain have breast cancer that shows up on a regular breast screening.
Armpit Pain
Aside from changes to the breast, symptoms of breast cancer can crop up in other areas of the body. Specifically, cancer canspread to the lymph nodesin the underarm or the chest.
The lymph nodes in the armpit are called theaxillarylymph nodes. When breast cancer has spread, it can cause the lymph nodes to swell, become tender, or cause pain. You should be able to feel cancerous or swollen lymph nodes if they’re present in the armpit.
Armpit pain is a symptom of breast cancer in about 0.2% of the people in theCancer Epidemiologystudy. A lump in the underarm was found in about 1.2% of people in the study.
Consequences of Delayed Diagnosis
When breast cancer presents without a lump, people take longer to report their symptoms to a healthcare provider. This can cause a delayed diagnosis. Some signs, especially in younger people or those breastfeeding, can lead to a misdiagnosis.
Missed DiagnosesThere aren’t many studies on how often healthcare providers miss or delay a breast cancer diagnosis in the real world. Some studies suggest that misdiagnosis of any illness happens about 5% of the time.In addition, mammograms miss about 12% of breast cancers.
Missed Diagnoses
There aren’t many studies on how often healthcare providers miss or delay a breast cancer diagnosis in the real world. Some studies suggest that misdiagnosis of any illness happens about 5% of the time.In addition, mammograms miss about 12% of breast cancers.
According to theCancer Epidemiologystudy, about 15% of people with breast cancer symptoms without a lump waited more than 90 days before seeking help—twice as many as those with a lump.
People who can take longer to get a correct breast cancer diagnosis can hurt their prognosis. A missed or delayed breast cancer diagnosis may lead to a need for more aggressive treatment and a worse outlook.
If you’ve been misdiagnosed or had a delayed breast cancer diagnosis, talk to your oncologist (cancer specialist) as soon as possible to see how this may impact treatment. If breast cancer is more advanced because of the diagnosis delay, treatment will likely be more aggressive.
Breast Cancer Screening Recommendations
Breast cancer screening is not typically recommended for people assigned male at birth who are at average risk. People who are transgender should talk to a healthcare provider about whether they recommend a screening.
CostsA screening mammogram can cost from $100 to $250. If you can’t afford breast cancer screenings, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program may be able to help. Visit their website to see if you qualify and find a location near you.If you don’t meet the program’s criteria, there are severaloptions available for a free or low-cost mammogram, including local and national organizations.
Costs
A screening mammogram can cost from $100 to $250. If you can’t afford breast cancer screenings, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program may be able to help. Visit their website to see if you qualify and find a location near you.If you don’t meet the program’s criteria, there are severaloptions available for a free or low-cost mammogram, including local and national organizations.
A screening mammogram can cost from $100 to $250. If you can’t afford breast cancer screenings, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program may be able to help. Visit their website to see if you qualify and find a location near you.
If you don’t meet the program’s criteria, there are severaloptions available for a free or low-cost mammogram, including local and national organizations.
Even when you get your screening on time, mammograms aren’t 100% accurate in showing if a person has breast cancer. They can miss about one in eight breast cancers.
The reliability of screening mammograms is a bigger problem for people withdense breast tissue. If your radiologist or healthcare provider says you have dense breasts, find a radiologist who specializes in dense breast tissues—they can get better imaging results than others.
Screenings vs. Diagnostic ImagingThe information here is about preventive screenings—scans of healthy people at average risk of breast cancer. Other types of imaging are diagnostic, which means they are used when people show breast cancer symptoms.If a healthcare provider thinks your symptoms are suspicious—with or without a lump—they may order a diagnostic mammogram or a breast ultrasound.
Screenings vs. Diagnostic Imaging
The information here is about preventive screenings—scans of healthy people at average risk of breast cancer. Other types of imaging are diagnostic, which means they are used when people show breast cancer symptoms.If a healthcare provider thinks your symptoms are suspicious—with or without a lump—they may order a diagnostic mammogram or a breast ultrasound.
The information here is about preventive screenings—scans of healthy people at average risk of breast cancer. Other types of imaging are diagnostic, which means they are used when people show breast cancer symptoms.
If a healthcare provider thinks your symptoms are suspicious—with or without a lump—they may order a diagnostic mammogram or a breast ultrasound.
It can also be helpful to monitor your breast health at home. Self-exams are not the be-all and end-all of watching for signs of cancer, but they help you become familiar with your breasts. This will make it easier to notice if there are changes. Keep an eye out for other symptoms, as well.
It may help you see changes if you look at your reflection in the mirror, especially while holding your arms in different positions, like above your head. Common lymph nodes that show signs of cancer are in your armpit and chest, so watch those areas for changes.
Summary
It is possible to have breast cancer without a lump. About one in six breast cancer patients do not report having a lump when diagnosed. Breast cancer without a lump typically shows other symptoms, including breast pain, breast skin changes, a lump in the armpit, a breast wound that won’t heal, or back pain.
Breast cancer without a lump is more common in inflammatory breast cancer and lobular carcinoma. Breast cancers that present without a lump are more likely to be diagnosed late or misdiagnosed as another health issue. This can lead to delays in treatment, worsening the prognosis.
A Word From Verywell
Trying to figure out if your unusual symptoms are breast cancer without a lump can leave you feeling anxious. But know that many of the non-breast or non-lump symptoms listed here are rare, happening in less than 5% of people with breast cancer who report their symptoms to a healthcare provider.
If you’re worried about a symptom, ask a healthcare provider. They’ll have a better idea of your risk factors and the likelihood that the odd pain or symptom might be cancer. They can send you for some diagnosing testing to determine what’s causing your symptoms.
Frequently Asked QuestionsLobular carcinoma causes about 10% of breast cancer and often appears without a lump. These breast cancers more often make the breast tissue feel firm, thickened, or different, and you may experience other symptoms, including pain.Inflammatory breast cancers also often present without a detectable lump but with reddened, painful, or swollen skin on the breast or nipple.Learn MoreAn Overview of Invasive Lobular CarcinomaPain from breast cancer can show up in the breast, nipple, or armpit. It may be more of an itching or pulling or searing pain. Very advanced cancers may cause pain throughout the body in the muscles and bones.Learn MoreAre You Having Breast Cancer Pain?How long you can have breast cancer without knowing it depends on how fast breast cancer starts, grows, and spreads.Learn MoreHow Fast Does Breast Cancer Start, Grow, and Spread?
Lobular carcinoma causes about 10% of breast cancer and often appears without a lump. These breast cancers more often make the breast tissue feel firm, thickened, or different, and you may experience other symptoms, including pain.Inflammatory breast cancers also often present without a detectable lump but with reddened, painful, or swollen skin on the breast or nipple.Learn MoreAn Overview of Invasive Lobular Carcinoma
Lobular carcinoma causes about 10% of breast cancer and often appears without a lump. These breast cancers more often make the breast tissue feel firm, thickened, or different, and you may experience other symptoms, including pain.Inflammatory breast cancers also often present without a detectable lump but with reddened, painful, or swollen skin on the breast or nipple.
Lobular carcinoma causes about 10% of breast cancer and often appears without a lump. These breast cancers more often make the breast tissue feel firm, thickened, or different, and you may experience other symptoms, including pain.
Inflammatory breast cancers also often present without a detectable lump but with reddened, painful, or swollen skin on the breast or nipple.
Learn MoreAn Overview of Invasive Lobular Carcinoma
Pain from breast cancer can show up in the breast, nipple, or armpit. It may be more of an itching or pulling or searing pain. Very advanced cancers may cause pain throughout the body in the muscles and bones.Learn MoreAre You Having Breast Cancer Pain?
Pain from breast cancer can show up in the breast, nipple, or armpit. It may be more of an itching or pulling or searing pain. Very advanced cancers may cause pain throughout the body in the muscles and bones.
Learn MoreAre You Having Breast Cancer Pain?
How long you can have breast cancer without knowing it depends on how fast breast cancer starts, grows, and spreads.Learn MoreHow Fast Does Breast Cancer Start, Grow, and Spread?
How long you can have breast cancer without knowing it depends on how fast breast cancer starts, grows, and spreads.
Learn MoreHow Fast Does Breast Cancer Start, Grow, and Spread?
10 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Cancer Society.Types of breast cancer.American Cancer Society.Inflammatory breast cancer.American Cancer Society.ACS recommendations for the early detection of breast cancer.National Cancer Institute.Cancer stat facts: female breast cancer.Koo MM, von Wagner C, Abel GA, et al.Typical and atypical presenting symptoms of breast cancer and their associations with diagnostic intervals: evidence from a national audit of cancer diagnosis. 2017;48:140-146. doi:10.1016/j.canep.2017.04.010American Academy of Family Physicians.Common breast problems.Singh H, Meyer AND, Thomas EJ.The frequency of diagnostic errors in outpatient care: estimations from three large observational studies involving US adult populations.BMJ Qual Saf. 2014;23(9):727-731. doi:10.1136/bmjqs-2013-002627American Cancer Society.Limitations of mammograms.US Preventive Services Task Force, Nicholson WK, Silverstein M, et al.Screening for breast cancer: US Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement.JAMA. Published online April 30, 2024. doi:10.1001/jama.2024.5534Cancer Treatment Centers of America.6 sign of breast cancer that aren’t a lump.
10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Cancer Society.Types of breast cancer.American Cancer Society.Inflammatory breast cancer.American Cancer Society.ACS recommendations for the early detection of breast cancer.National Cancer Institute.Cancer stat facts: female breast cancer.Koo MM, von Wagner C, Abel GA, et al.Typical and atypical presenting symptoms of breast cancer and their associations with diagnostic intervals: evidence from a national audit of cancer diagnosis. 2017;48:140-146. doi:10.1016/j.canep.2017.04.010American Academy of Family Physicians.Common breast problems.Singh H, Meyer AND, Thomas EJ.The frequency of diagnostic errors in outpatient care: estimations from three large observational studies involving US adult populations.BMJ Qual Saf. 2014;23(9):727-731. doi:10.1136/bmjqs-2013-002627American Cancer Society.Limitations of mammograms.US Preventive Services Task Force, Nicholson WK, Silverstein M, et al.Screening for breast cancer: US Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement.JAMA. Published online April 30, 2024. doi:10.1001/jama.2024.5534Cancer Treatment Centers of America.6 sign of breast cancer that aren’t a lump.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Cancer Society.Types of breast cancer.American Cancer Society.Inflammatory breast cancer.American Cancer Society.ACS recommendations for the early detection of breast cancer.National Cancer Institute.Cancer stat facts: female breast cancer.Koo MM, von Wagner C, Abel GA, et al.Typical and atypical presenting symptoms of breast cancer and their associations with diagnostic intervals: evidence from a national audit of cancer diagnosis. 2017;48:140-146. doi:10.1016/j.canep.2017.04.010American Academy of Family Physicians.Common breast problems.Singh H, Meyer AND, Thomas EJ.The frequency of diagnostic errors in outpatient care: estimations from three large observational studies involving US adult populations.BMJ Qual Saf. 2014;23(9):727-731. doi:10.1136/bmjqs-2013-002627American Cancer Society.Limitations of mammograms.US Preventive Services Task Force, Nicholson WK, Silverstein M, et al.Screening for breast cancer: US Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement.JAMA. Published online April 30, 2024. doi:10.1001/jama.2024.5534Cancer Treatment Centers of America.6 sign of breast cancer that aren’t a lump.
American Cancer Society.Types of breast cancer.
American Cancer Society.Inflammatory breast cancer.
American Cancer Society.ACS recommendations for the early detection of breast cancer.
National Cancer Institute.Cancer stat facts: female breast cancer.
Koo MM, von Wagner C, Abel GA, et al.Typical and atypical presenting symptoms of breast cancer and their associations with diagnostic intervals: evidence from a national audit of cancer diagnosis. 2017;48:140-146. doi:10.1016/j.canep.2017.04.010
American Academy of Family Physicians.Common breast problems.
Singh H, Meyer AND, Thomas EJ.The frequency of diagnostic errors in outpatient care: estimations from three large observational studies involving US adult populations.BMJ Qual Saf. 2014;23(9):727-731. doi:10.1136/bmjqs-2013-002627
American Cancer Society.Limitations of mammograms.
US Preventive Services Task Force, Nicholson WK, Silverstein M, et al.Screening for breast cancer: US Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement.JAMA. Published online April 30, 2024. doi:10.1001/jama.2024.5534
Cancer Treatment Centers of America.6 sign of breast cancer that aren’t a lump.
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