Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is an uncommon, highly aggressive form of breast cancer in which cancerous cells obstruct the lymph vessels in the breast. The disease is named because of its primary symptoms of redness and swelling. IBC spreads throughout the breast, but it is not commonly detected by mammograms because the disease often does not produce a well-defined lump or mass.
Among breast cancer patients in the United States, IBC comprises approximately 1% to 5% of those cases. Early detection and efficient treatment are important as IBC can spread rapidly to other locations in the body, often within a matter of weeks or months.
The following may be symptoms of IBC but could be linked to other health conditions. If these symptoms are present, patients are encouraged to consult their physician for proper testing:
IBC patients should consult with a medical oncologist to determine their specific treatment needs. A common treatment regimen usually begins with chemotherapy, taken by mouth as pills or administered into a vein through a needle. Using more than one type of treatment, including chemotherapy, surgery, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, hormone therapy, immunotherapy, and palliative medicine has been shown to have better outcomes.
Because IBC can grow and spread rapidly and is more likely to recur after treatment than other types of breast cancer, it is classified as an aggressive cancer. Though the long-term survival rate for IBC is lower than that of other breast cancer types, new research developments are continuing to find innovative cancer treatments that may improve the survival outlook for IBC patients. Since IBC symptoms may be mistaken for other non-cancerous conditions, such as a breast infection, patients with concerns about their diagnosis and treatment should request a biopsy to detect cancer cells.
Sources: American Cancer Society and The National Cancer Institute
