Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is a rare and aggressive form of breast cancer that occurs when cancer cells block the lymph vessels in the skin of the breast. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), it accounts for only 1 to 5 percent. Trusted Source of all cases of breast cancer.
IBC is different from other forms of breast cancer because it often doesn’t cause a lump or mass. This can mean that it might not show up on common breast cancer screening techniques like mammograms, making it more difficult to diagnose.
Because IBC is an aggressive type of cancer that can grow and spread quickly, it’s important to be able to recognize the signs of inflammatory breast cancer and speak with a doctor immediately if you notice changes in your breast.
How is inflammatory breast cancer different from other types of breast cancer?
Compared to other types of breast cancer, inflammatory breast cancer has different signs, symptoms, and prognoses.
Breast lump not likely. Developing a lump in your breast is not typical with IBC.
Swelling and skin changes. IBC causes swelling, discoloration, and dimpling. The affected breast may feel warmer and heavier than the other. It may develop redness or appear bruised.
Appears at a younger age. IBC affects people approximately 4 years youngerTrusted Source than those affected by other forms of breast cancer.
Develops quickly. The signs and symptoms of IBC usually develop within 3 to 6 monthsTrusted Source, according to the ACS. This cancer can also spread more aggressively than other breast cancers.
Rarer. IBC accounts for 1 to 5 percentTrusted Source of all breast cancers.
Diagnosis. Because the cancer cells are grown into the skin, IBC is diagnosed at stage 3 or stage 4. It is also more likely that the cancer will have spread to other parts of the body.
Prognosis. The outlook of IBC is typically not as good compared with other types of breast cancer.
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Signs and symptoms of inflammatory breast cancer
IBC can progress rapidly within weeks or months. Because of this, receiving an early diagnosis is extremely important.
While you usually don’t develop a lump that’s characteristic of other breast cancers, you may have several of the following symptoms.
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Breast discoloration
An early sign of IBC is discoloration of the breast, with a section of the breast appearing red, pink, or purple in color. Discoloration can impact a third or moreTrusted Source of the breast, according to the National Cancer Institute.
The discoloration seen with this type of breast cancer can look like a bruise, so you might shrug it off as nothing serious. But breast redness is a classic symptom of IBC. Do not ignore unexplained bruising on your breast.
Breast pain
Due to the inflammatory nature of this particular cancer, your breast may look and feel different. For example, inflammation can cause your breast to feel warm to the touch. You may also have breast tenderness and pain.
Lying on your stomach may be uncomfortable. Depending on the severity of tenderness, wearing a bra may also be painful. In addition to pain and tenderness, IBC can cause persistent itching in the breast, especially around the nipple.
Skin dimpling
Another telltale sign of IBC is skin dimpling, or pitted skin. Dimpling — which can make the skin resemble the skin of an orange peel — is a concerning sign.
Change in nipple appearance
A change in the shape of the nipple is another possible early sign of IBC. Your nipple may become flat or retract inside the breast.
A pinch test can help determine if your nipples are flat or inverted. Place your thumb and index finger around your areola and gently squeeze. A normal nipple moves forward after pinching. A flat nipple doesn’t move forward or backward. A pinch causes an inverted nipple to retract into the breast.
Having flat or inverted nipples does not necessarily mean you have IBC. These types of nipples are normal for some women and are no cause for concern. On the other hand, if your nipples change, speak with a doctor immediately.
Enlarged lymph nodes
IBC can cause enlarged lymph nodes. If you notice enlarged lymph nodes under your arm or above your collarbone, consult your doctor quickly.
Sudden change in breast size
IBC can change the appearance of the breasts. This change can occur suddenly. Because this cancer can cause inflammation and swelling, breast enlargement or thickness can occur.
The affected breast may appear noticeably larger than the other breast or feel heavy and hard.
If you’ve always had symmetrical breasts and you notice a sudden increase or decrease in the size of one breast, speak with your doctor to rule out IBC.
How is inflammatory breast cancer diagnosed?
Because IBC can grow and spread very quickly, an early diagnosis is very important. The minimum diagnostic criteriaTrusted Source for IBC include:
breast redness, swelling, dimpling, or warmth that comes on quickly, with or without a detectable lump or mass
redness that includes at least a third of the breast
symptoms that have lasted for no longer than 6 months
confirmation of the presence of cancer cells through a biopsy
Now let’s explore the diagnostic methods that can be used for IBC in a little more detail.
Mammogram
A mammogram is a screening method that uses X-rays to check for signs of breast cancer. During a mammogram, the breasts are compressed while the X-rays are taken. This helps to provide a clearer picture of the breast tissue.
Because IBC isn’t typically associated with a detectable lump, mammograms may not be able to detect it effectively. Additionally, since IBC can be associated with breast pain, obtaining the compression necessary for an accurate mammogram can be difficult.
Breast ultrasound
A breast ultrasound uses sound waves to create an image of breast tissue. A doctor can use these images to detect cancerous changes in the breast. A breast ultrasound can also be used to evaluate the surrounding lymph nodes.
Breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
A breast MRI can be used to create images of the breast tissue. Instead of the radiation that’s used in X-rays, MRI uses strong magnets and radio waves to generate images.
A breast MRI has the highest sensitivityTrusted Source at detecting cancerous breast changes. Because of this, it’s often used in the diagnosis of IBC.
Breast biopsy
During a breast biopsy, your doctor will remove a small sample of tissue from your breast. It’s then taken to a laboratory where it’s evaluated for signs of cancer. If cancer cells are detected in the biopsy, they can then be tested for:
Grade. The grade of a cancer is based on how much the cells look like normal cells under a microscope. Cells with a higher grade appear more abnormal and are more likely to grow and spread quickly.
HER2. HER2 is a receptor that’s overexpressed on the surface of some cancer cells. Cancer that’s HER2-positive can grow and spread more rapidly, but it can also be treated using drugs that specifically target the HER2 receptor. Many IBCs are HER2-positive.
Hormone receptors. Some breast cancer cells have receptors for estrogen and progesterone. These hormones can drive the growth of the cancer. While most IBCs are hormone receptor-negative, those that are positive may be treated using hormone therapy drugs.
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