What is inflammatory breast cancer (ibc)?

Aggressive Cancer: Ibc is an aggressive type of breast cancer that grows very rapidly and invades the lymphatics of the skin of the breast, giving the appearance of a breast infection; the breast is often red, swollen, tender, with a rash. By definition, cancer cells have gone 'elsewhere' at diagnosis; therefore, chemotherapy is given first, followed by mastectomy, and then radiation therapy.

Aggressive: Ibc is an aggressive form of breast cancer. It typically occurs in younger women, and often will present as a "pimple" or other infection, that does not respond to antibiotics. It can spread rapidly to the lymph nodes and other areas of the body, and usually is treated with chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation. Any change in your breast needs to be reported to your physician, not just a lump.

Looks like infection: Ibc occurs suddenly with breast pain, redness, or swelling or a rash. Mammograms are often negative because the tumor cells grow in a sheet and don't form a lump. It is very fast-growing and spreads quickly. Immediate chemotherapy is needed. It looks like an infection, so doctors often try antibiotics first, delaying diagnosis. See a medical oncologist immediately if you have these symptoms.

Aggressive cancer: Inflammatory breast cancer is a very aggressive and rare firm of breast cancer that is defined by invasion of the dermal lymphatic channels in ones skin. This presents as a red spreading rash on the skin and may or may not be associated with an actual mass in the breast. Skin biopsy is used to diagnose it. Aggressive tx includes chemotherapy, mastectomy, and radiation. Reconstruction possible.