Symptoms of a breast lump include:

• Knot, bump or swelling under the skin of the breast
• Firm or soft
• Smooth or lumpy
• Attached or unattached to the skin
• Located anywhere in the breast

It is nearly impossible to distinguish a benign breast lump from a cancerous breast lump by feeling it.

Symptoms of breast cancer include:

• Breast lump:
• Lump is nontender
• Usually located near the nipple
• Skin may be dimpled over the lump
• Orange-peel changes in the skin overlying the breast
• Nipple discharge:
• Fluid drains from the nipple
• Nipple retraction:
• The nipple may be flattened or drawn into the skin
• Breast swelling:
• Changes in breast size or shape
• Swollen lymph glands:
• Swollen glands under the arm

Symptoms of a non-cancerous breast lump include:

• Breast lump:
• Lump is usually soft and rubbery
• Lump is usually nontender
• Lump is not attached to underlying tissue
• Lump is not attached to overlying skin

For more information:

• Fibrocystic breast disease symptoms
• Benign breast disease symptoms
• Breast cancer symptoms
• Breast abscess symptoms
• Breast fat necrosis symptoms