Inflammatory breast cancer

Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC) is a rare and aggressive form of breast cancer that spreads rapidly and causes the breast to become red, swollen, and warm. Unlike other types of breast cancer, IBC does not typically present as a lump and is often mistaken for an infection or injury, leading to delays in diagnosis. This article provides an overview of the symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of inflammatory breast cancer.

Symptoms

The symptoms of inflammatory breast cancer can develop quickly, often over a period of weeks or months. They may include:

• Redness, tenderness, and warmth in the breast, often resembling an infection
• Thickening of the skin of the breast, resulting in an orange-peel texture (known as peau d'orange)
• Swelling of the breast
• Pain in the breast or nipple
• Inversion of the nipple
• Swollen lymph nodes under the arm or near the collarbone

Diagnosis

Diagnosing IBC can be challenging due to its rare nature and the absence of a palpable lump in many cases. The following diagnostic tools are commonly used:

• Mammography and ultrasound to look for abnormalities in the breast tissue
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to provide detailed images of the breast
• Biopsy of the breast tissue and lymph nodes to confirm the presence of cancer cells
• Blood tests to assess overall health and rule out other conditions

Treatment

Treatment for inflammatory breast cancer typically involves a combination of therapies, including:

• Chemotherapy to shrink the tumor before surgery
• Surgery, usually a modified radical mastectomy, to remove the affected breast and lymph nodes
• Radiation therapy after surgery to eliminate any remaining cancer cells
• Hormone therapy and/or targeted therapy for tumors that are hormone receptor-positive or have certain genetic markers

Prognosis

The prognosis for inflammatory breast cancer is generally less favorable than for other types of breast cancer, due to its aggressive nature and the likelihood of early spread. However, treatment advances have improved outcomes for many patients. Factors that influence prognosis include the stage of the cancer at diagnosis, the patient's overall health, and how well the cancer responds to treatment.

Prevention and Risk Factors

There are no specific measures to prevent inflammatory breast cancer, but understanding the risk factors can help in early detection. Risk factors include:

• Being female, though men can also develop IBC
• Older age
• African American ethnicity
• Obesity
• Family history of breast cancer

See Also

• Breast cancer classification
• Breast cancer treatment
• Metastatic breast cancer

External Links

• National Cancer Institute: Inflammatory Breast Cancer Fact Sheet
• American Cancer Society: Breast Cancer