ORIGINATING FROM OUTSIDE OF THE BREAST: Secondary cancer is cancer which starts elsewhere, that is, in another organ of the body and spreads to the breast, for example, melanoma.

In rare cases, malignancies such as lymphoma or sarcoma, may present as a breast lump.

HOW IT FEELS: May feel like a firm to hard, lump or thickening.

WHAT YOU NEED: Investigations include clinical breast examination, imaging and biopsy, either FNA or core biopsy. Other tests may be needed to find the original site.

Treatment depends on the cause.