Press Releases

Inflammatory Breast Cancer

Self-breast exams can help women detect breast cancer early, but now we're learning it goes beyond finding lumps, and what you may not know could kill you. 

Dr. Jagathi Challagalla said, "It doesn't have the typical lump in the breast or an abnormal mammogram. The patient can just mistake it as redness of the skin, a breast infection."

Doctor Jagathi Challagalla is talking about Inflammatory Breast Cancer, or IBC, and only about five-percent of breast cancer patients have it, and it's an extremely aggressive disease that invades the lymphatic system, causing a variety of symptoms.

Look for a change in color and texture of the areola. The area around the nipple. Breast swelling, usually sudden, change in the breast's skin texture, like an orange peel, even nipple retraction.

Dr. Challagalla said, "This is a form of cancer where a person can see changes in their own breast very quickly. Within days and weeks they see that the breast is heavier than the other, more swollen, red, tender."

Inflammatory breast cancer affects both men and women, but disproportionately affects more African-American women than caucasian, and when it's detected, it's usually classified as stage three or four.

"This is a form of cancer we really want to treat more quickly because it spreads more rapidly," said Dr. Challagalla.

Treatment is as aggressive as the cancer itself. Chemotherapy immediately, mastectomy, and radiation. Doctor Challagalla said it's important to be proactive with treatment. If you notice any of these symptoms, go to the doctor. If antibiotics don't work, it's not a breast infection. Make sure to have a skin biopsy of the breast, not just the traditional mammogram.