Inflammatory breast cancer is the most violent type of breast cancer. It is not a new type of breast cancer. Inflammatory breast cancer is blocking the lymph vessels in the skin of the breast. Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC) causes changes in the nipple and the surrounding areas. This type of breast cancer is called “inflammatory” because the breast frequently looks swollen and red, or “inflamed.” IBC accounts for 1 to 5 percent of all breast cancer cases in the United States. This type of breast cancer that can arise in women of any age. 1% to 5% of Inflammatory breast cancer cases in the United States are inflammatory breast cancer.
Inflammatory breast cancer is typically categorized as stage IIIB breast cancer because of the possible concern of the skin, chest wall, or lymph nodes along the breast bone in the chest wall. It also grows more rapidly and aggressively than the more common types of breast cancer. It tends to occur at younger ages. African-American women appear to be at higher risk of IBC than Caucasian women. Symptoms of Inflammatory breast cancer may comprise redness, swelling, and warmth in the breast, frequently without a distinct lump in the breast. The redness and warmth are caused by cancer cells blocking the lymph vessels in the skin.
The skin of the breast may also show pink, ruddy purple, or bruised. The skin may also have ridges or seem pitted, like the skin of an orange, which is caused by a buildup of fluid and edema in the breast. Other symptoms comprise heaviness, burning, aching; augment in breast size, tenderness, or a nipple that is inverted. These symptoms usually grow rapidly over a period of weeks or months. Swollen lymph nodes may also be present under the arm, beyond the collarbone, or in both places. The usual treatment for IBC starts with chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is systemic treatment, which means that it affects cells throughout the body.
The use of chemotherapy is to manage or destroy cancer cells, including those that may have spread to other parts of the body. Aggressive chemotherapy is frequently followed by local regional treatment. Anti-estrogen and Herceptin therapy may also have a role. Other forms of targeted therapy, such as Averting, may be used. Supportive care is treatment given to improve the quality of life of patients who have a serious or life-threatening disease, such as cancer. It prevents or treats as early as possible the symptoms of the disease.
Inflammatory Breast Cancer: Symptoms and Treatment
A type of breast cancer that is rare and gets its name from the appearance of the skin on the breast is "inflammatory breast cancer."
Diagnosis of inflammatory breast cancer is usually diagnosed at a younger age than those diagnosed with other forms of breast cancer. Inflammatory breast cancer is diagnosed in men only in very rare circumstances.
In the past, women diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer had grim survival statistics; however, new approaches in treatment offer greater chances for survival than ever before.
Symptoms
Of inflammatory breast cancer include:
* A breast that appears red, purple, pink or bruised
* A tender, firm and enlarged breast
* A warm feeling in the breast
* Itching of the breast
* Pain
* Ridged or dimpled skin texture, similar to an orange peel
* Thickened areas of skin
* Enlarged lymph nodes under the arm, above the collarbone or below the collarbone
* Flattening or retraction of the nipple
* Swollen or crusted skin on the nipple
* Change in color of the skin around the nipple
These same symptoms can also indicate a breast infection called "mastitis." Mastitis occurs most often in younger women who are breast-feeding. Mastitis causes a fever and is easily treated with antibiotics. Inflammatory breast cancer does not typically cause a fever, nor does it respond to antibiotics.
Another condition in which there can be redness, warmth and swelling of the breast is caused by a previous operation or radiation therapy that involved the outer breast or underarm. These cases are not inflammatory breast cancer either.
Inflammatory breast cancer progresses rapidly. If you notice any of the above symptoms of inflammatory breast cancer, mention them right away to your physician.
If you receive treatment for a breast infection (mastitis) and your symptoms last longer than a week after starting antibiotics, asks your physician to do imaging studies of the breast or to perform a breast biopsy. If the test shows no signs of cancer and your symptoms seem to worsen, talk to your physician about getting another biopsy or ask for a referral to a breast specialist.
Treatment for inflammatory breast cancer:
Inflammatory breast cancer was treated by surgery. The mortality rate was at 100 percent. Significant progress has been made in recent years, which has improved the prognosis for a woman with inflammatory breast cancer. Once almost always fatal, the disease now results in half of women diagnosed being alive in five years and one-third of women diagnosed surviving 10 or more years.
If you undergo extensive radiation therapy your options for reconstruction are limited.
Source: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
Disclaimer: *This article is not meant to diagnose, treat or cure any kind of a health problem. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
Inflammatory breast cancer is typically categorized as stage IIIB breast cancer because of the possible concern of the skin, chest wall, or lymph nodes along the breast bone in the chest wall. It also grows more rapidly and aggressively than the more common types of breast cancer. It tends to occur at younger ages. African-American women appear to be at higher risk of IBC than Caucasian women. Symptoms of Inflammatory breast cancer may comprise redness, swelling, and warmth in the breast, frequently without a distinct lump in the breast. The redness and warmth are caused by cancer cells blocking the lymph vessels in the skin.
The skin of the breast may also show pink, ruddy purple, or bruised. The skin may also have ridges or seem pitted, like the skin of an orange, which is caused by a buildup of fluid and edema in the breast. Other symptoms comprise heaviness, burning, aching; augment in breast size, tenderness, or a nipple that is inverted. These symptoms usually grow rapidly over a period of weeks or months. Swollen lymph nodes may also be present under the arm, beyond the collarbone, or in both places. The usual treatment for IBC starts with chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is systemic treatment, which means that it affects cells throughout the body.
The use of chemotherapy is to manage or destroy cancer cells, including those that may have spread to other parts of the body. Aggressive chemotherapy is frequently followed by local regional treatment. Anti-estrogen and Herceptin therapy may also have a role. Other forms of targeted therapy, such as Averting, may be used. Supportive care is treatment given to improve the quality of life of patients who have a serious or life-threatening disease, such as cancer. It prevents or treats as early as possible the symptoms of the disease.
Inflammatory Breast Cancer: Symptoms and Treatment
A type of breast cancer that is rare and gets its name from the appearance of the skin on the breast is "inflammatory breast cancer."
Diagnosis of inflammatory breast cancer is usually diagnosed at a younger age than those diagnosed with other forms of breast cancer. Inflammatory breast cancer is diagnosed in men only in very rare circumstances.
In the past, women diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer had grim survival statistics; however, new approaches in treatment offer greater chances for survival than ever before.
Symptoms
Of inflammatory breast cancer include:
* A breast that appears red, purple, pink or bruised
* A tender, firm and enlarged breast
* A warm feeling in the breast
* Itching of the breast
* Pain
* Ridged or dimpled skin texture, similar to an orange peel
* Thickened areas of skin
* Enlarged lymph nodes under the arm, above the collarbone or below the collarbone
* Flattening or retraction of the nipple
* Swollen or crusted skin on the nipple
* Change in color of the skin around the nipple
These same symptoms can also indicate a breast infection called "mastitis." Mastitis occurs most often in younger women who are breast-feeding. Mastitis causes a fever and is easily treated with antibiotics. Inflammatory breast cancer does not typically cause a fever, nor does it respond to antibiotics.
Another condition in which there can be redness, warmth and swelling of the breast is caused by a previous operation or radiation therapy that involved the outer breast or underarm. These cases are not inflammatory breast cancer either.
Inflammatory breast cancer progresses rapidly. If you notice any of the above symptoms of inflammatory breast cancer, mention them right away to your physician.
If you receive treatment for a breast infection (mastitis) and your symptoms last longer than a week after starting antibiotics, asks your physician to do imaging studies of the breast or to perform a breast biopsy. If the test shows no signs of cancer and your symptoms seem to worsen, talk to your physician about getting another biopsy or ask for a referral to a breast specialist.
Treatment for inflammatory breast cancer:
Inflammatory breast cancer was treated by surgery. The mortality rate was at 100 percent. Significant progress has been made in recent years, which has improved the prognosis for a woman with inflammatory breast cancer. Once almost always fatal, the disease now results in half of women diagnosed being alive in five years and one-third of women diagnosed surviving 10 or more years.
If you undergo extensive radiation therapy your options for reconstruction are limited.
Source: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
Disclaimer: *This article is not meant to diagnose, treat or cure any kind of a health problem. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
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