Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is the most aggressive form of breast cancer. Women and even men with an IBC diagnosis have a higher mortality rate than those with other types of breast cancer. Therefore, it is important that IBC is diagnosed rapidly and accurately in order for treatment to have a significant effect. IBC does not present the same way in every case. It is imperative that individuals and practitioners not dismiss any abnormal female or male breast symptom(s).
One or more of the following are typical symptom(s) of IBC:
• Swelling,which may come suddenly, sometimes a cup size in a few days
• Itching
• Pink, red, or dark colored area (called erythema) sometimes with texture similar to the skin of an orange (called peau d’orange)
• Ridges and thickened areas of the skin
• Nipple retraction
• Nipple discharge, may or may not be bloody
• Breast is warm to the touch and radiates heat
• Breast pain (from a constant ache to stabbing pains)
• Change in color and texture of the areola
You don’t have to have a lump to have breast cancer. It is importatant that individuals seek various interpretations of their mammograms and/or ultrasounds. Inflammatory breast cancer can grow in nests or sheets, rather than a solid tumor. Most often, IBC is not visible in either mammography or ultrasonography.
For more information: Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Foundation http://www.ibcresearch.org
Photo: Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Foundation
Levine PH, Steinhorn SC, Ries LG, Levine AJ: Inflammatory breast cancer: The experience of the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program. J Natl Cancer Inst 1985;74:291-297.
Chang, S., Parker, S. L., Pham, T., Buzdar, A., and Hursting, S. D. Trends and patterns of inflammatory breast cancer: The experience of the National Cancer Institute’s SEER Program from 1975 to 1992. Cancer 82(12), 2366-2372. 1998.
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