Breast swelling and occasional stabbing pain, what's wrong?
Breast swelling and occasional stabbing pain are considered to be caused by fibrocystic breast changes. The symptoms of fibrocystic breast changes include cyclic swelling and pain in the breasts, often appearing or worsening before menstruation and reducing or disappearing after menstruation. It may manifest as swelling and pain in one or both breasts, or prickling and painful sensations, and can extend to the shoulders, upper arms, or thoracic regions. Few patients may experience nipple discharge. During physical examination, nodular lumps of varying sizes, which are firm but not hard, can be felt in one or both breasts. Sometimes these lumps are tender, and their boundaries with the surrounding breast tissue are indistinct, but they are not adherent to the skin or pectoral muscles. Regular follow-up with breast ultrasound is advisable.