While inflammatory breast cancer is often more difficult to diagnose, it is the most aggressive type of breast cancer. In addition to its aggressive nature, it is more likely to spread outside of the breast when it is first detected. Treatment for IBC is usually immediate, but the sooner it is detected, the better.
Inflammatory breast cancer symptoms are difficult to distinguish from ordinary conditions. These symptoms may resemble a rash, allergic reaction, or infection. If you notice any changes in your breasts, you should visit your health care provider to determine the cause and prescribe treatment. The treatment for IBC is similar to that for a regular skin infection. Inflammatory breast cancer can be treated with chemotherapy, and it’s rare. In addition, there are several signs and symptoms that can help you identify the condition.
Inflammatory breast cancer is a type of breast cancer that is more common in women than in men. Women of African descent are at increased risk for developing it. Close family members with breast cancer are also at an increased risk. Obesity is a risk factor. Symptoms of IBC include skin inflammation that looks like an orange peel, changes in the shape of the nipple, and pain in the breast.
While a biopsy is necessary to confirm the diagnosis of inflammatory breast cancer, the results of a biopsy can help doctors determine the stage of the disease, the extent of spread, and whether the cancer cells will respond to targeted therapies such as hormone drugs. Treatment for inflammatory breast cancer is aggressive. Most women undergo a mastectomy after symptoms start. This type of breast cancer is more likely to recur than other forms of the disease.
An early sign of IBC is a pink or red lump in the breast. It’s often mistaken for an infection, and doctors often mistake it for a bruise. However, if symptoms are present, a doctor can prescribe a combination of treatments to make the condition less aggressive. It’s important to get a biopsy as soon as possible. The early signs of IBC may also be accompanied by other signs of breast cancer, such as axillary adenopathy.
If a breast tumor grows inside the nipples, it will affect the shape of the areolas, which are tiny glands that release breast milk. Other symptoms of inflammatory breast cancer include breast itching, swelling, and scaly or blue skin around the breast. The cancerous skin may look scaly, or develop cellulite (the orange peel-like effect).
