Inflammatory breast cancer develops in the lymph vessels in the breast and does not usually cause a lump. It is highly likely to begin before the age of 40 and is more prevalent in black women than white women. Breast lumps can be painful, hard, or soft. They are usually irregular in shape and hard to move. Treatment for inflammatory breast cancer depends on how the disease responds to treatment. Listed below are some symptoms of inflammatory breast cancer.
While inflammatory breast cancer often begins in stage III (T4dNXM0), it can spread to distant areas. Treatment of this type of cancer involves drugs that target the HER2 receptor. These drugs target HER2 and increase the chance that the tumor will respond to chemotherapy. However, there are still risks associated with using these drugs, and they have a low success rate. Inflammatory breast cancer is extremely aggressive and has a poor prognosis.
Because IBC does not appear like a typical type of breast cancer, it is difficult to diagnose and treat. The lump will not show up on a mammogram. It is more common in women under 40, and black women have a higher incidence of it than white women. In addition, IBC is more aggressive than other forms of breast cancer, spreading to distant areas and being harder to treat than other types. If you suspect you might have IBC, you should visit your doctor immediately.
Treatment for IBC is aimed at shrinking the tumor and is often given in cycles. For example, chemotherapy may last for a week, then three weeks are needed for recovery before chemotherapy is given again. Chemotherapy drugs are given orally or intravenously. The drugs work by killing the cancer cells in the breast. It takes approximately six months to a year to complete treatment for IBC. If you develop the disease and are diagnosed early, treatment will include a combination of radiation therapy, surgery, and chemotherapy.
Inflammatory breast cancer is rare and is difficult to detect with a mammogram. It can spread to lymph nodes near the breast or to distant sites if you do not get treatment on time. This type of cancer is characterized by redness and swelling of the breast. The most common symptoms are pain, swelling, and itching. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, you should see a doctor to be treated as soon as possible.
Although it is not very common, inflammatory breast cancer is an aggressive form of breast cancer. It is named for the appearance of a red breast caused by microscopic tumor cells that clog the lymph vessels. Interestingly, many women with this cancer have never heard of it before. And because it is such a rare disease, it is classified as an orphan disease. A recent study has confirmed that Xalkori can successfully control inflammatory breast cancer in women who have a mutation in the ALK gene.
Inflammatory breast cancer responds to chemo. Surgery may be performed to remove the entire affected breast and lymph nodes under the arm. Radiation therapy will destroy any remaining cancer cells. After surgery, hormone therapy may be used to prevent the disease from recurring. Most cancers return within three to five years of treatment. However, in the first three to five years, a combination of radiation therapy and chemotherapy results in the highest survival rates.
