Mastitis history and symptoms

Nonpuerperal mastitis

 * in most cases local to a part of breast, often close to the nipple and areola, more often the upper inner side of the breast. Rarely whole breast affected, mostly only one breast.
 * redness of the area
 * pain local to affected area
 * diffuse density/palpable mass of varying volume
 * local overwarming, hotspots (thermographically detectable)
 * swollen lymph nodes on the affected side, rarely both sides
 * inflammation intensity can be repeatedly flaring up and down
 * abscess

Systemic (flu like) symptoms like in puerperal mastitis are rare.

Special forms of mastitis like subareolar abscess can show rare symptoms like nipple retraction and skin dimpling.

Mammography and symptoms allone never allow reliable exclusion of breast cancer. Mastitis may also mimic several typical signs of malignancy on mammography.