What to Know About Inflammatory Breast Cancer

By: Sarah Bence

From: bezzybc.com

Inflammatory breast cancer can look and feel different from other breast cancers. Here’s what to know, from early signs to treatment and clinical trials.

Inflammatory breast cancer is a unique type of breast cancer that tends to develop more quickly than some other types. While it may feel overwhelming to be diagnosed with this (or any form) of breast cancer, the positive news is that new treatments for breast cancer are being developed.

Knowledge is power, and knowing the signs of inflammatory breast cancer could help you receive a prompt diagnosis.

How common is inflammatory breast cancer?

Inflammatory breast cancer is relatively rare, making up approximately 1% to 5% of all breast cancer cases. It affects certain groups earlier, with Black people being diagnosed on average about 4 years younger than white people. Having overweight or obesity can also increase your risk of inflammatory breast cancer.

Symptoms of inflammatory breast cancer

Inflammatory breast cancer can present differently because it affects the skin and lymph channels of the breast rather than forming a distinct lump.

Symptoms may include:

• Breast discoloration: An early sign of IBC is breast discoloration, with a section appearing red, pink, or purple, like a bruise. Discoloration can affect a third or more of the breast, and breast redness or discoloration is a classic sign of IBC.
• Breast pain: Inflammation can cause your breast to feel warm to the touch, along with tenderness and pain. Lying on your stomach and wearing a bra may be uncomfortable. IBC can also cause itching in the breast, especially around the nipple.
• Skin dimpling: Another telltale sign of IBC is skin dimpling or pitted skin. Dimpling can make the skin resemble the skin of an orange peel.
• Nipple changes: An inverted nipple is common and natural for many people, but nipple changes are another possible early sign of IBC. Your nipple may become flat or retract inside the breast.
• Swollen lymph nodes: If you notice enlarged lymph nodes under your arm or above your collarbone, consult your doctor quickly.
• Sudden change in breast size: Inflammation from IBC can cause breast swelling, enlargement, and thickening. The affected breast may appear noticeably larger than the other breast or feel heavy and hard.

If you experience any of these symptoms, consult your doctor. IBC symptoms often develop quickly within 3 to 6 months.

Diagnosis

Because of its appearance, inflammatory breast cancer can sometimes be mistaken for an infection (like cellulitis or mastitis) at first. If antibiotics do not improve symptoms after about a week, doctors will explore further and investigate an inflammatory breast cancer diagnosis.

Diagnosis is based on your symptoms and presentation, as well as breast imaging and biopsy that shows invasive carcinoma, which are breast cancer cells that have invaded your breast tissue. Inflammatory breast cancer is often diagnosed with what’s called a “punch biopsy” on the skin itself.

A punch biopsy is a quick test where a doctor takes a small circle-shaped piece of skin to examine it under a microscope. They use a quick biopsy to take a skin sample from the red, discolored, or swollen part of the breast, and look for cancer cells in the sample. The area is numbed first, so it shouldn’t hurt, and the piece taken is very small — about the size of a pencil eraser.

Because it develops quickly, most inflammatory breast cancer cases are diagnosed at stage 3 or 4. About 40% of inflammatory breast cancer cases are diagnosed at stage 4, also known as metastatic cancer.

Treatment

Treatment for inflammatory breast cancer usually has three steps, including:

1. chemotherapy to target cancer cells throughout the body
2. surgery, often a modified radical mastectomy, to remove the tumor and lymph nodes
3. radiation therapy to help prevent recurrence
4. anti-estrogen therapy, if the cancer is hormone positive

Many people also consider clinical trials, which offer access to new treatments. Ask your doctor about available clinical trials that may be right for you.

Takeaway

While inflammatory breast cancer has historically been challenging to treat, ongoing advances mean that many people experience better outcomes today.

Keep in mind that a lot of other factors can affect your personal outlook, like your age, health, tumor grade, and more. Many people diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer today will also have a better outlook because new treatments are constantly being developed, and treatment may include clinical trials.