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Inflammatory Breast Cancer: A Rare but Aggressive Type
By Raveena M Prakash
Inflammatory breast cancer is a rare and aggressive type of breast cancer that demands immediate medical evaluation. Its unusual signs and symptoms and rapid growth progressions can make this cancer awareness essential for both patients and healthcare providers. While understanding the signs, risk factors, and treatment options, now any individual can take proactive steps towards early diagnosis and effective cancer care.
In this article, we’ll discover more about why it is called Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) and who is at higher risk of developing this condition.
Understanding Inflammatory Breast cancer
Inflammatory breast cancer accounts only for 5% of all of the cancers. Yet it is responsible for a significantly higher percentage of breast cancer-related deaths. One of the unique features of what makes IBC different from other breast cancers is how these cancer cells get spread. Instead of developing a single breast tumor, the cancer tends to block the lymphatic vessels in the skin and breast. This blockage often leads to inflammation-like symptoms; that's what makes this condition get its name.
IBC often results in growth and spread much faster than other types of breast cancers. Many symptoms might appear suddenly and start to get worse over a short period of time, sometimes within weeks or months. Due to its aggressive nature, this cancer is often diagnosed at an advanced stage.
Why is it called Inflammatory breast cancer?
The term ‘inflammatory’ can be highly misleading in certain cases. For instance, inflammatory breast cancer is not always caused by an infection, but these often mimic the condition like mastitis, which shows symptoms like redness, swelling, and discoloration around the breasts. Instead, this inflammation-like appearance generally leads to cancer cells obstructing the lymph vessels, preventing normal fluid drainage in patients.
Symptoms to watch out for
Unlike any other breast cancer, IBC usually does not appear as a lump. Instead, there are several symptoms that affect a large portion of the breast and start to progress rapidly.
The common symptoms to watch out for, including:
- Redness covering one-third or more of the breast
- Swelling or sudden increase in the size of the breast
- Experiencing warmth and heaviness in the affected breasts
- Thickened or pitted skin usually described as orange peel appearance
- Breast and nipple flattening
- Discharge from nipple
- Persistent itching, tenderness and burning sensation
- Swollen lymph nodes under the arm or collarbone
If you are experiencing any of these sudden changes or texture of the breast should be taken care seriously, if any of these symptoms do not improve quickly.
Who is at higher risk of developing this cancer?
An inflammatory breast cancer can occur in anyone, but much cancer research shows that certain groups are more frequently affected.
- Women under the age of 50
- Black women, who are diagnosed more often at younger ages
- Women with obesity
Although these cancer types are considered rare, men can also develop IBC in some rare conditions, these symptoms in men are often overlooked, leading to a delayed diagnosis.
What are the difficulties to get diagnosed with this cancer
Unfortunately, IBC tends to mimic infection or skin conditions; that makes the diagnosis challenging. Many patients are initially treated with antibiotics for suspected conditions like mastitis. If there is no improvement within 7 to 10 days, further evaluation is considered crucial.
Diagnosis is typically include:
- A thorough physical examination
- Imaging tests such as mammograms, ultrasounds and MRIs
- A biopsy of breast tissue or skin to confirm the presence of cancer cells
Inflammatory breast cancer is classified as stage 3 or higher at cancer diagnosis, even if it has not spread to distant organs. This classification basically reflects its aggressive behavior and involvement with the skin.
Treatment options
Due to the aggressive and advanced nature of this cancer, IBC requires an intensive, coordinated treatment plan involving multiple cancer therapies.
These treatments usually begin immediately after diagnosis, and these may include:
- Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy is typically considered as a first-line cancer treatment for this condition. These are often delivered before surgery, also known as neoadjuvant therapy; it helps to shrink cancer cells, reduce inflammation, and improve the effectiveness of following cancer treatments.
- Surgery: After chemotherapy, the majority of patients undergo a mastectomy, as breast-conserving surgery is generally not recommended for each IBC case. The lymph nodes in the underarm areas are also removed during the surgical procedures.
- Radiation therapy: These treatments usually follow the surgery to target remaining cancer cells in the chest wall and its surrounding areas.
- Targeted therapy and hormone therapy: Depending on the patient’s cancer characteristics, targeted therapies such as HER2-directed treatments or hormone therapy may be included to reduce the risk of cancer recurrence.
Living with Inflammatory Breast Cancer
A recent diagnosis of Inflammatory breast cancer can be emotionally overwhelming to handle. The sudden onset, in simpler terms, rapid growth of symptoms, aggressive treatment, and physical changes that can take a toll on a patient's mental health. While getting support from experienced cancer health care teams, counselors, and cancer support groups plays a crucial role in coping with quick recovery and improving the quality of life.
Patients are encouraged to follow these instructions, including:
- Seek expert care and support from specialists experienced in treating IBC.
- Ask questions and always advocate for timely medical evaluation.
- Consider professional emotional and psychological support with effective cancer treatment.
- Maintain regular follow-ups after completing the cancer treatments
Importance of cancer awareness and early detection
While these cancers are considered rare and aggressive types of breast cancer, an early diagnosis is considered crucial for preventing this from becoming a fatal condition. Understanding breast cancer does not always involve a lump that can help individuals recognize its warning signs sooner. Always listen to your body and trust your gut instincts, and seek a medical opinion when these symptoms persist; that can lead to an earlier diagnosis and better treatment outcomes.
If you start to notice any sudden changes in your breasts, especially in women, such as redness, swelling, or skin thickening, and these symptoms do not improve within a short period of time, do not delay screening and medical attention.
Consult Today
Breast cancer is often associated with a detectable lump found during a physical examination or routine cancer screening. However, not all breast cancer would develop in this manner. Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is considered a rare, aggressive type of disease that behaves very differently from more common types. These cancers often progress rapidly and often lack a distinct lump, while IBC is frequently misdiagnosed or diagnosed later at a stage. Increasing awareness about this uncommon cancer is essential for earlier cancer diagnosis and improved treatment outcomes.
At Oncare, we offer premium-quality cancer treatments, including advanced cancer surgeries, at an affordable price range with an experienced cancer specialist consultation.
If you or any loved ones of yours are diagnosed with cancer, then visit Oncare Cancer Hospital and book an appointment with our experienced cancer specialist today. Get an estimated cost of your cancer treatment today.
Frequently Asked Questions
A healthcare provider might use surgery and anti-cancer medicine to treat regional IBC. Along with that, doctors might use a step-by-step approach, including neoadjuvant therapy, mastectomy, and adjuvant therapy.
A healthcare provider might use tests to diagnose these cancers including mammogram, breast ultrasound and some other tests also performed to find out whether the cancer has spread or not, including bone scan, CT scan, MRIs, and PET scan.
The symptoms of inflammatory breast cancer may include breast dimpling, bruising or a rash that spreads over one-third of the breast, enlarged breast, inverted nipple, retracted nipple, pain, swelling, itching, firmness or tenderness, skin discoloration like red, pink, or purple, swollen lymph nodes, and warmth and redness.
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