Complications of breast cancer include:

• Destruction of the breast
• Destruction of the chest wall surrounding the breast
• Mastitis
• Nipple discharge
• Chest pain
• Radiation therapy side effects
• Chemotherapy side effects

Side effects of radiation therapy include:

• Skin burns
• Confusion (with radiation to the brain)
• Difficulty swallowing
• Fatigue
• Hair loss
• Headaches (with radiation to the brain)
• Nausea and vomiting
• Other cancers
• Rashes and other skin changes (discoloration)
• Weight loss

Side effects of chemotherapy include:

• Anorexia
• Bone marrow damage
• Constipation and diarrhea
• Hair loss
• Increased risk of infection
• Mouth sores (mucositis)
• Nausea and vomiting
• Weakness or fatigue

Additional complications occur when the cancer spreads to other parts of the body, called metastasis. The most common sites include the lungs, liver and bones.

Complications of metastasis include:

• Pneumonia
• Collapsed lung
• Respiratory failure
• Liver failure
• Fractures