Early Signs of Inflammatory Breast Cancer
Regional Cancer Care Associates (RCCA) provides comprehensive treatment of cancer and blood disorders to patients throughout New Jersey, Connecticut, Maryland, and the Washington, DC, area.
Inflammatory Breast Cancer Treatment in NJ, CT, MA, MD, and the Washington, D.C., Area
Inflammatory breast cancer is a rare and aggressive cancer that introduces unique challenges for patients and oncologists. This, and other cancer types are treated at Regional Cancer Care Associates (RCCA), a group of more than 100 medical oncologists and hematologists who treat patients who have solid tumors, blood-based cancers and blood disorders at 25 locations throughout New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, and the Washington, DC area. RCCA offers a variety of cutting-edge therapies, including targeted therapy and immunotherapy, to help patients reach the best outcomes.
What Is Inflammatory Breast Cancer?
Inflammatory breast cancer, also called IBC, is a type of aggressive ductal carcinoma (breast cancer). IBC occurs when breast cancer cells block lymph vessels in the skin. This causes the skin to appear red and inflamed, giving the condition its name. IBC is extremely aggressive, spreading more rapidly than most other breast cancer types. This aggression results in a worse prognosis.
In comparison with other breast cancers, IBC is rare. According to the American Cancer Society, it accounts for only 1% to 5% of all breast cancer diagnoses. It tends to be diagnosed at a younger age than other types of breast cancer, often affecting people age 40 and younger.
Stages of IBC and Patient Outlook
Medical oncologists describe breast cancer using a staging system. Breast cancer stages progress from 0 to IV based on how far the cancer has spread in the body. This information guides oncologists when determining the most appropriate treatment for a patient.
Most cases of inflammatory breast cancer are classified as Stage III breast cancer. This is because the cancer has grown into the skin and lymphatic system. IBC may also progress to Stage IV, or metastatic cancer, if cancer cells spread or metastasize to other tissues outside the breast. Approximately one in three cases of IBC has already metastasized at the time of diagnosis.
Because IBC starts in an advanced stage, spreads aggressively, and has a high chance of metastasis, successful treatment is difficult. The five-year survival rate is 19% to 52%, depending on how far the cancer has spread. The chances of recurrence are also higher than for other types of breast cancer.
Signs and Symptoms of IBC
Inflammatory breast cancer typically does not create a lump or other commonly known breast cancer signs and symptoms. Instead, it has a unique set of symptoms. These develop quickly, often within three to six months. They may include:
- Swelling (edema) in the breast skin
- Redness or bruising across more than one-third of the breast
- Pitting of the breast skin, described as feeling like an orange peel
- Pain, tenderness, or irritation in the breast
- A nipple that is inverted (facing inward)
- Rapid increase in breast size
- A sense of warmth or heaviness in one breast
- Swelling in lymph nodes under the arms or near the collarbone
Many people who experience the symptoms listed above will not have breast cancer. Nonetheless, it is important to consult a physician about these symptoms, particularly if they are pronounced, arose suddenly, or have persisted for an extended period.
Diagnostic Tests for IBC
If an individual speaks with a doctor about symptoms of IBC, a series of diagnostic tests will be performed to confirm the diagnosis before planning treatment. Tests used to identify IBC include:
Physical Examination
During a physical examination, the physician will ask about the patient’s symptoms and medical history before examining the affected breast directly. A photograph may be taken to record the amount of redness and swelling before treatment. This helps the physician diagnose IBC while also providing a point of reference that can be used to determine whether treatment is effective.
Mammogram
Mammograms are specialized medical imaging used to examine the breasts. The breast is gently compressed between two paddles, allowing X-rays to easily pass through breast tissue and create a detailed image. While mammograms are the standard method for detecting breast cancer, IBC does not typically create a tumor. This makes mammograms less reliable for diagnosing IBC.
Biopsy
Most cases of IBC are diagnosed with a biopsy. This procedure involves taking a small piece of breast tissue to be examined in a laboratory. While the physical exam and imaging tests may show suspicious findings, only a biopsy can confirm that it is cancer. The biopsy will also check for hormone receptors and certain proteins or gene mutations, which can inform a treatment plan.
Systemic Therapy for IBC
Most IBC treatment plans begin with one or more types of systemic therapy. These are treatments that move through the bloodstream, treating the whole body instead of a focused area. Systemic therapies may be taken orally as pills or delivered intravenously as infusion therapy. Types include:
- Chemotherapy: This treatment uses strong drugs that kill fast-growing cells and tissue, making them effective in destroying most types of cancer cells.
- Targeted therapy: If the biopsy tested positive for HER2 proteins, a targeted therapy drug may be used. These drugs precisely attack and kill cells that produce HER2.
- Immunotherapy: Some cases of IBC can be treated with immunotherapy, an approach that trains the patient’s immune system to identify and destroy cancer cells.
- Hormone therapy: This treatment blocks the hormones that some cancers use to grow. IBC is usually HR-negative, however, so this approach is ineffective in most cases.
Systemic therapy is typically used as a preoperative treatment, meaning it does not fully treat the cancer by itself. Instead, the goal is to shrink the cancer and slow its spread, making it easier to remove with surgery.
Surgery for IBC
If cancer improves with systemic therapies, the next step is typically a mastectomy surgery. During this procedure, the entire breast — including the glandular tissue, fatty tissue, and some of the skin — will be removed, in addition to the lymph nodes under the arm. Because IBC affects so much of the breast and skin, breast-conserving surgeries such as a lumpectomy will not be effective in removing the cancer.
Find IBC Treatment in NJ, CT, MA, MD, and the Washington, D.C., Area<
Though inflammatory breast cancer is aggressive, current research continues to uncover new insights to improve treatment outcomes. The medical oncology team at RCCA treats all breast cancer types, including inflammatory breast cancer. RCCA provides care to more than 30,000 new patients and 265,000 established patients each year. RCCA physicians offer patients innovative therapies, including immunotherapies and targeted therapy, cutting-edge diagnostics as well as access to approximately 300 clinical trials in community-based centers close to home.
Frequently Asked Questions About Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC)
What is inflammatory breast cancer?
Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is a rare type of breast cancer that affects lymph ducts in the skin. IBC is highly aggressive and spreads quickly, with a high chance of spreading elsewhere in the body.
Does inflammatory breast cancer create a lump?
Inflammatory breast cancer does not typically create a large tumor or lump that can be felt in the breast.
What are the symptoms of inflammatory breast cancer?
Symptoms of inflammatory breast cancer include:
- Swelling and redness in the breast
- Pitted or thickened skin, like an orange peel
- Pain and tenderness in the breast
- Rapid increase in breast size
- Nipple inversion
- Swollen lymph nodes
What treatments are available for inflammatory breast cancer?
Treatment for inflammatory breast cancer typically begins with chemotherapy or another systemic therapy to shrink the number of cancer cells. The second step is a mastectomy surgery to remove the affected breast and nearby lymph nodes.
Join RCCA in the Fight Against Breast Cancer
Breast cancer patients can seek the most comprehensive, patient-centered care that the area has to offer at Regional Cancer Care Associates. Our network of highly experienced doctors works together to deliver the care and support you need for all aspects of your life. Call your local RCCA office to learn more about breast cancer or to schedule an appointment for a consultation today.
Physicians SPECIALIZED IN BREAST CANCER
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