Inflammatory Breast Disease

IBC is a rare and aggressive form of breast cancer, accounting for 1-5% of all breast cancer cases. It is characterized by a faster growth rate than other breast cancers. IBC cells typically block lymphatic vessels in the skin of the breast, causing the characteristic inflammatory symptoms. IBC usually grows in nests or sheets in the breast rather than as a solid tumor, making it difficult to detect on mammograms.

• Rapid, unusual increase in breast size
• Redness, rash, blotchiness or other skin color changes on the breast
• Persistent itching of breast or nipple
• Lump or thickening of breast tissue
• Stabbing pain and/or soreness of breast
• Warmth in the breast (feverish breast)
• Swelling of lymph nodes under the arm or above the collarbone
• Dimpling or ridging of breast
• Flattening or retraction of nipple
• Nipple discharge or change in pigmented area around nipple
• Breast heaviness or swelling

Although the above symptoms may indicate a benign breast disorder, any change to your breast(s) should be reported to your doctor immediately. In addition, these symptoms may appear quickly and suddenly.

Current treatment typically begins with chemotherapy, which usually continues until there is sufficient clinical response to permit surgery. A modified radical mastectomy and axillary lymph node dissection are performed. Radiation and possibly more chemotherapy follow. Targeted therapies such as trastuzumab (Herceptin) may be used if the cancer is HER2-positive. In some cases hormonal treatment is used if the cancer is hormone receptor-positive. Immunotherapy may be an option in certain cases, particularly for triple-negative IBC. Individual treatment can vary depending on specific circumstances. It is important to find a physician familiar with IBC to receive the best possible treatment.

IBC can occur at any age, although the median age at diagnosis is younger than for other types of breast cancer, typically in the early to mid-50s. IBC can affect younger women at higher rates than other breast cancers. Though rare, even teenagers have been diagnosed with IBC.