Advanced Breast Cancer –
Photos courtesy of Dr Ernest Yeoh  

WARNING!
Explicitly graphic photographs of advanced breast cancer is depicted in the following page. Please do not proceed further if viewing the photographs will cause distress.

The following are photographs of cancers that have continued to grow and “ulcerate” the overlying skin. These pictures are rather “ugly” but even in the city, every once in a while, we still see patients presenting at this very late stage to the doctor!

MALE BREAST CANCER: Breast cancer involving the nipple (ulceration has occurred) in a man Advanced breast cancer ulcerating the overlying skin Breast cancer causing “orange peel” skin in the left breast and that has spread to the left armpit. This spread has caused a large lump in the tail of the left breast/left armpit region. Very advanced breast cancer ulcerating and involving the whole of the left breast. There is spread to the left armpit lymph nodes. Even the enlarged lymph nodes are on the verge of breaking through the skin.

Recurrent breast cancer or advanced breast cancer with palliative treatment

There is spread of the breast cancer to the right armpit causing a lump that is ulcerating the skin. Note the swollen right arm. Patient who has previously removed the breast (mastectomy) but now has recurrence (regrowth of the breast cancer) in the treated breast. This occurred after radiotherapy had been given. The skin of the breast appears patchy red and “thickened”. This is an example of a type of breast cancer that looks as if your breast has an infection. This is a sign of an inflammatory cancer of the breast. There is extensive recurrence of the breast cancer in the left breast. Here the spread to the left armpit lymph nodes has caused a very large lump in the armpit region.

Sarcoma of the Breast

Recurrent breast sarcoma: This is not a common malignant tumour of the breast. The picture shows a recurrent growth after surgery and skin grafting.

Make Self Breast Examinations a regular part of
your life!

As each woman's breasts are unique, getting to know your own breasts would allow you to be able to pick up changes the earliest! This won't happen overnight, therefore practising regularly monthly self breast examination is your best bet!