Breast cancer presenting as unilateral arm edema.

Zakaria, Shaheen; Johnson, Ruth; Pockaj, Barbara A; Degnim, Amy C · J Gen Intern Med · 2007

case_report · Level V

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Abstract

CONTEXT: Symptomatic arm lymphedema as the presenting symptom of invasive breast carcinoma is a rare occurrence. DESIGN: We report a case of invasive breast cancer presenting with unilateral arm swelling. The patient was initially thought to have venous thrombosis. A thorough physical examination and a mammogram revealed the presence of breast cancer and associated subclinical axillary lymphadenopathy. CONCLUSION: Failure to recognize this presentation can lead to misdiagnosis or a significant delay in diagnosis and treatment.

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