Inflammatory Breast Cancer

Inflammatory Breast Cancer is a rare, but very aggressive form of breast cancer. In this type of breast cancer, the cancer cells block the lymph vessels in the skin of the breast. Inflammatory Breast Cancer tends to grow rapidly and alters the physical appearance of the breasts.

Inflammatory Breast Cancer is oftentimes abbreviated as IBC. It is also known as Inflammatory Breast Carcinoma or Inflammatory Carcinoma of the Breast. It is called "inflammatory" because the affected breast often appears swollen and red; as if it were inflamed.

Inflammatory Breast Cancer tends to be diagnosed in younger women more than other types of breast cancer. It affects African American women more than Caucasian women. IBC can occur in men, but usually at an older age than in women.

With most breast cancers, tumors are felt during self-examinations or clinical exams; or through the use of mammograms or ultrasounds. Inflammatory Breast Cancer usually grows in what are referred to as "nests" or "sheets", as opposed to forming a solid tumor. For this reason, IBC is oftentimes misdiagnosed as Mastitis, a relatively minor breast infection.

When Mastitis is suspected, a physician will generally prescribe a round of antibiotics. However, if the symptoms are not relieved through the use of antibiotics, a biopsy should be performed.

More often than not, by the time Inflammatory Breast Cancer is diagnosed it is already at an advanced stage. The symptoms of IBC usually develop quickly and may include redness, swelling, and warmth in the breasts. The skin of the breast may appear pink, reddish purple, or bruised.

Other symptoms of Inflammatory Breast Cancer may include a pitting of the skin surrounding the breast. This pitted appearance resembles the texture of an orange and is called peau d' orange. Pitting of the breast is caused by a buildup of fluid, which causes edema (swelling) in the breast.

Many women who are diagnosed with Inflammatory Breast Cancer report feeling heaviness in the breasts accompanied by a burning or aching sensation. Others report tenderness and an increase in breast size. Occasionally, the nipple of the affected breast will invert into the breast.

Inflammatory Breast Cancer is frequently accompanied by swollen lymph nodes which are present under the arm, above the collarbone, or both.

Inflammatory Breast Cancer treatment consists of aggressive therapy which includes chemotherapy, surgery, radiation, and hormonal therapy. The type of chemotherapy treatment used in IBC treatment is called neoadjuvant therapy (KNEE-oh-ADD-joo-vent). This type of chemotherapy is given prior to the primary treatment in order to shrink cancer cells prior to surgery.

If you experience changes in your breasts, consult with a physician immediately. Inflammatory Breast Cancer is not detected through self-examinations or mammograms, so it is critical that you obtain a biopsy as early as possible.