Inflammatory Breast Cancer - What Is It?
Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is the most aggressive form of breast cancer. It is called inflammatory breast cancer because the main symptoms include swelling and redness of the breast. IBC often lacks a distinct lump or tumor, but rather grows in nests or sheets that spread through the breast. IBC cells can spread easily to other parts of the body, so it does require prompt diagnosis and treatment. And it is particularly important type of cancer for young women to be well-educated about as IBC is more common in younger women than most other forms of breast cancer. To learn more about the symptoms of IBC, who is at risk, treatment options, and resources, please click below and read on…
Who Is At Risk?
IBC accounts for about 1-6% of new cases of breast cancer. It is slightly more common in African American women than women of other races, and is more common in younger women than other forms of breast cancer. IBC has been seen in women who are pregnant, women who are breastfeeding, and in men.
What Are The Symptoms Associated With IBC?
- One breast becomes much larger than the other one. This change is usually very sudden when related to IBC and can be as much as cup size difference in growth.
- Warmth and swelling in the breast.
- Redness or pinkness that may look like an infection.
- Itching or pain in the breast that will not go away. The pain can be a constant ache or stabbing pains.
- Dimpling of the skin that may resemble the texture of an orange peel.
- Ridges or thickened areas of skin.
- Nipple discharge, which may or may not be bloody.
- Nipple retraction or flattening.
- Change in the color or texture of the areola (the dark skin around the nipple).
- A bruise on the breast that does not go away.
- Swollen lymph nodes on the neck or under the arm.
- A lump (although keep in mind that with IBC there is often no lump present).
If you notice any of these symptoms, it is important to meet with a medical professional as soon as possible. Often IBC is misdiagnosed as a breast infection – so if your doctor treats it as such and you notice your symptoms last for longer than a week after starting antibiotics, insist that your doctor do a biopsy to see if cancer cells are present. As with any other medical condition, if you feel unsure about your doctor’s diagnosis of the situation or recommended course of treatment, strongly consider getting a second opinion.
How Is IBC Diagnosed?
Your doctor will review the symptoms you present with, and, if called for based on those symptoms, will do a biopsy of the area to determine whether or not cancer cells are present. If you are concerned that your symptoms may indicate IBC, directly ask your doctor whether there is any connection between your symptoms and inflammatory breast cancer.
What Treatments Are Available For IBC?
Treatment for IBC is different than treatment for other forms of breast cancer. It is designed for each individual based on the impact of the disease. Initial treatment usually begins with several rounds of chemotherapy, hormone therapy, or a combination of the two. These types of treatments are designed to affect the whole body, killing or controlling any cancer cells that might have spread to other parts of the body or that linger within the lympathic system. The next step involves direct local treatments, such as surgery, and then radiation, to target any remaining cancer cells within the breast or breast region. Sometimes following these local treatments, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and biological therapy are used again.
If you have been diagnosed with IBC it is important to try and maintain a positive mindset and to keep hope. Advances in treatment of breast cancer have improved the five-year survival rates of women with IBC. Recent studies have shown as much as a 50% survival rate after 5 years and a 35% survival rate after 10 years. Relapses after 10 years are rare. In addition to receiving medical treatment, it is important to have sources of support and help to deal with the emotional impact of being diagnosed with cancer and undergoing treatment for cancer.
Resources
If you don't have a doctor and live in northern New Jersey, you can call the Adolescent/Young Adult Center for Health at 973-971-6475 for an appointment or contact your local teen health center. You can also contact your insurance company for a list of in-network providers. You can also contact a local university research hospital or university medical center to see what services are available.
If you live in NJ, you can contact The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation North Jersey Affiliate at 908-277-2904 or komennorthjersey.org
For more information on IBC and available resources, you can contact the following organizations:
The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation
1-800-I’M AWARE (800-462-9273)
National Cancer Institute
1-800-4CANCER (800-422-6237)
IBC Research Foundation
1-877-STOP-IBC (877-786-7422)
American Cancer Society
1-800-ACS-2345 (800-227-2345)
Internet
IBC Support
