Signs and symptoms of recurrent breast cancer vary depending on where the cancer comes back. Local recurrence In a local recurrence, cancer reappears in the same area as your original cancer. If you've undergone a lumpectomy, the cancer could recur in the remaining breast tissue. If you've undergone a mastectomy, the cancer could recur in the tissue that lines the chest wall or in the skin. Signs and symptoms of local recurrence within the same breast may include:  A new lump in your breast or irregular area of firmness Changes to the skin of your breast Skin inflammation or area of redness Nipple discharge  Signs and symptoms of local recurrence on the chest wall after a mastectomy may include:  One or more painless nodules on or under the skin of your chest wall A new area of thickening along or near the mastectomy scar  Regional recurrence A regional breast cancer recurrence means the cancer has come back in the nearby lymph nodes. Signs and symptoms of regional recurrence may include a lump or swelling in the lymph nodes located:  Under your arm Near your collarbone In the groove above your collarbone In your neck  Distant recurrence A distant (metastatic) recurrence means the cancer has traveled to distant parts of the body, most commonly the bones, liver and lungs. Signs and symptoms include:  Persistent and worsening pain, such as chest, back or hip pain Persistent cough Difficulty breathing Loss of appetite Weight loss without trying Severe headaches Seizures 
signs symptoms recurrent breast cancer vary depending cancer comes back  local recurrence local recurrence  cancer reappears area original cancer  you've undergone lumpectomy  cancer recur remaining breast tissue  you've undergone mastectomy  cancer recur tissue lines chest wall skin  signs symptoms local recurrence breast may include:  new lump breast irregular area firmness changes skin breast skin inflammation area redness nipple discharge  signs symptoms local recurrence chest wall mastectomy may include:  painless nodules skin chest wall new area thickening near mastectomy scar  regional recurrence regional breast cancer recurrence means cancer come back nearby lymph nodes  signs symptoms regional recurrence may include lump swelling lymph nodes located:  arm near collarbone groove collarbone neck  distant recurrence distant (metastatic) recurrence means cancer traveled distant parts body  commonly bones  liver lungs  signs symptoms include:  persistent worsening pain  chest  back hip pain persistent cough difficulty breathing loss appetite weight loss trying severe headaches seizures 
recurrent breast cancer