What are the symptoms of breast cancer?

Breast cancer symptoms often affect one side of the face and are similar to other more common conditions, such as allergic rhinitis. Paranasal sinus cancer is rare, accounting for only 3-5% of all head and neck cancers. This article reviews breast cancer, its signs, symptoms, and more.

Are there early symptoms of breast cancer?

A 2021 article states that there may be no symptoms in the early stages of breast cancer. Signs and symptoms begin to appear as the tumor grows. Some symptoms of breast cancer are similar to those of a cold or other infection, which means people may miss them.

The most common symptoms of breast cancer are:

– a stuffy nose that does not resolve
– nosebleeds
– decreased sense of smell
– nasal mucus that can be bloody
– postnasal drip, that is, a flow of mucus in the back of the nose and throat.
If a person is concerned about their symptoms, they should contact a doctor.

At what stage is a person most likely to notice symptoms of sinus cancer?

Breast cancer is unlikely to be large enough to cause symptoms until it has spread to other parts of the body. In Stage III, the cancer begins to spread and move, and this is when it is most likely to cause noticeable symptoms.

Symptoms

Breast cancer can cause symptoms that affect the nose and eyes.

nose symptoms

Breast cancer can cause:

– nasal congestion on one side of the nose that does not go away
– nosebleeds
– decreased sense of smell
– nasal mucus that can be bloody
– postnasal drip
– pus coming out of the nose
Nasal congestion, or even complete obstruction, which affects one side of the nose and does not go away, is one of the most common symptoms of breast cancer.

eye symptoms

Breast cancer can cause the following symptoms:

– total or partial loss of sight
– swelling of one eye
– double vision
– pain above or below the eye
– constant tearing
– swelling of the conjunctiva, which is the tissue that covers the white part of the eye.

Other symptoms

Other symptoms are as follows

headache
movable teeth
pain or pressure affecting one ear
difficulty opening the mouth
a lump or growth that can develop anywhere on the face
facial pain or numbness that does not go away
swollen lymph nodes in the neck
hearing loss

Diagnosis

To diagnose sinus cancer, the doctor takes a person’s medical history and performs a physical exam. During the physical exam, he will check:

the head and neck, including the nose
numbness, swelling, pain, and firmness of the face
lymph nodes to determine if they have swollen
eyes to check for vision changes
facial symmetry.

If they suspect cancer, they will refer the person to an otolaryngologist. These medical professionals specialize in conditions of the ear, nose, and throat. The otolaryngologist performs an indirect endoscopy. It uses a headlamp and small mirrors to examine a person’s nose, throat, mouth, and tongue.

You may also order one or more of the following imaging tests:

computed tomography (computed tomography)
x-ray of the face
magnetic resonance
bone scan
pet scan
In addition to imaging tests, an otolaryngologist may order a biopsy. A biopsy involves removing a small section of tissue to look for cancer. Your doctor may order a biopsy of several types, including the following:

fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy
endoscopic or open biopsy
incisional and excisional biopsies, which are minor surgical procedures to remove part or all of the tumor.

Additional tests may be arranged to assess how the tumor may be affecting the person. They may include:

speech tests
blood test
heart tests
hearing tests

Outlook and survival rates.

A relative survival rate helps give an idea of ​​how long a person with a particular disease will live after being diagnosed, compared to people without that disease.
For example, if the 5-year relative survival rate is 70%, a person with the disease has a 70% chance of living for 5 years than someone without the disease. It is important to remember that these numbers are estimates. A person can consult a medical professional to find out how their illness will affect them.

Several factors affect a person’s perspective, including

The size of the tumor
The stage of the cancer
years
general health
the person’s response to treatment.

The 5-year survival rates for breast cancer are as follows:

Stage 5-year relative survival rate
located 85
regional 52
distant 42%.
all stages combined 58%.

When to contact a doctor

Many symptoms associated with breast cancer are the same or similar to many benign conditions that affect the nasal passages. A person is more likely to have a benign condition than cancer. However, a person should see a doctor if their symptoms worsen or do not go away.

Summary

Breast cancer is a rare form of cancer. It causes symptoms similar to a number of different mild conditions, which can make early detection based on symptoms difficult. The most common symptoms are nasal obstruction affecting one side of the face, nosebleeds, decreased sense of smell, postnasal drip, and discharge of mucus from the nose.