Stages of inflammatory breast cancer
You may be familiar with the fact that there are different stages of breast cancer. These stages are used to reflect how far the cancer has progressed.
At the time of diagnosis, all cases of IBC are either at stage 3 or stage 4:
Stage 3. In stage 3 IBC, the cancer has spread to some of the tissues surrounding the breast. This can include nearby lymph nodes, the skin of the breast, and the tissues of the chest wall.
Stage 4. In stage 4 IBC, the cancer has spread to more distant areas of the body, such as the lungs, liver, or bones. This is called metastasis. According to the ACS, it’s estimated that IBC metastasizes in about 1 in 3Trusted Source diagnoses.
Survival rates of inflammatory breast cancer
Survival rates are used to give a general idea of the outlook for a specific type of cancer.
A 5-year survival rate is typically used, which is the percentage of people with a certain type of cancer who are still alive 5 years after receiving their diagnosis.
The 5-year survival rates are reported based on how far the cancer has spread. For IBC, according to the ACS, they areTrusted Source:
regional (stage 3): 56 percent
distant (stage 4): 19 percent
overall: 41 percent
When looking at 5-year survival rates, it’s important to remember that they’re based on a large number of people who have had IBC. Because of this, they cannot predict what will happen in each individual situation.
Treatment options
After you’re diagnosed with IBC, the next step is for your doctor to stage the cancer. To do this, your doctor may order additional tests to see if the cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes or other parts of the body.
These can include things like:
chest X-ray
CT scan
bone scan
blood tests to look at liver function
Stage 3 inflammatory breast cancer treatment
Treatment for stage 3 IBC typically includes a method called a multimodal approach, which involves a combination of three treatments:
Systemic therapies. Systemic therapies impact organs and tissues throughout your body and can help to shrink the cancer before surgery. Some examples of systemic therapies include:
chemotherapy, which uses strong drugs to kill cancer cells or slow their growth
targeted therapy, which can specifically target cells that are HER2-positive
hormone therapy, which can block the activity of hormone receptors on cancer cells
Surgery. Due to the aggressive nature of IBC, breast-conserving surgery (lumpectomy) isn’t typically recommended. Instead, surgery removes the affected breast and lymph nodes. This is called a modified radical mastectomy.
Radiation therapy. Radiation therapy uses high-powered energy beams to destroy and stop the spread of cancerous cells. It’s used after surgery to help destroy any cancer cells that may remain. Additional systemic therapies may be used after surgery as well.
Stage 4 inflammatory breast cancer treatment
Cancer that’s spread to more distant areas of the body is typically treated using one or a combination of the systemic therapies mentioned above. These include:
chemotherapy
targeted therapy
hormone therapy
Causes
It’s unclear exactly what causes IBC. In general, cancer develops due to genetic changes. These can happen due to a variety of factors, such as:
genetic changes inherited from your parents
irregularities that naturally occur during cell division
damage to DNA through environmental exposures
Sometimes gene mutations that are associated with cell growth and division can occur. When this happens, cells can grow and divide out of control.
In IBC, cells in the breast ducts or lobules begin to rapidly grow and divide. As cancer cells build up, they block the lymph vessels in the skin of the breast. This leads to the redness, swelling, and dimpling associated with IBC.
HEALTHLINE RESOURCE
Shared Breast Cancer Stories and More
Tap into community conversations discussing breast cancer diagnoses, backed by our powerful BC community. Bezzy BC: empowered by each other.
Risk factors
There are a few risk factorsTrusted Source associated with developing IBC. These include:
Age. IBC typically occurs in younger women.
Weight. People that have overweight or obesity are at a higher risk of developing IBC.
ResearchTrusted Source shows that IBC has a higher prevalence in Black women compared with white women, a situation that may be due to racial and socioeconomic disparities in the healthcare system.
Additional factorsTrusted Source that require further evaluation include having your first pregnancy at a younger age, not breastfeeding, and smoking.
Takeaway
Because IBC can grow and spread quickly, its outlook isn’t generally as good as other types of breast cancer. Early diagnosis and treatment are vital for improving outlook. That’s why it’s so important to see your doctor for sudden breast changes like redness, swelling, and dimpling.
Every individual is different. Remember that a variety of different factors can influence your outlook, such as age, overall health, and the stage of the cancer. Your doctor will work with you to develop a treatment plan that addresses your specific condition.
Additionally, research is ongoing into newer, more effective treatments for IBC. If you’ve been diagnosed with IBC, you may consider talking with your doctor about enrolling in a clinical trialTrusted Source.
A cancer diagnosis can be challenging. While undergoing treatment, be sure to seek support.
This could include:
joining a local support group for cancer patients and survivors
working with a therapist who helps cancer patients
confiding in family and friends
You must be logged in to post a comment.