What physical sign can indicate the presence of a breast tumor?

Dimpling of the skin can indicate the presence of a breast tumor because it suggests that the underlying tissue has been affected by an abnormal growth or retraction. When a tumor forms and invades surrounding tissues, it can cause the skin to pull inward, resulting in a dimpling or puckering effect that is often noticeable upon visual inspection. This sign may be associated with some types of breast cancer or other lesions of the breast and is a significant clinical finding that can warrant further investigation.

The presence of any changes in the skin's appearance, such as redness or increased warmth, can suggest inflammation or infection rather than a direct indicator of a tumor. Similarly, swelling around the nipple may occur for various reasons, including hormonal changes or infections, but it is not as definitive a sign of a tumor as dimpling. Therefore, observing dimpling of the skin is a more specific physical sign that could point toward the presence of a breast tumor.